Bladder Cancer Treated at Karmanos

What is bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the bladder. There are three types of bladder cancer that begin in cells in the lining of the bladder. These cancers are named for the type of cells that become malignant (cancerous):

• Transitional cell carcinoma: Cancer that begins in cells in the innermost tissue layer of the bladder. These cells are able to stretch when the bladder is full and shrink when it is emptied. Most bladder cancers begin in the transitional cells. Transitional cell carcinoma can be low-grade or high-grade:
  • Low-grade transitional cell carcinoma often recurs (comes back) after treatment, but rarely spreads into the muscle layer of the bladder or to other parts of the body.
  • High-grade transitional cell carcinoma often recurs (comes back) after treatment and often spreads into the muscle layer of the bladder, to other parts of the body, and to lymph nodes. Almost all deaths from bladder cancer are due to high-grade disease.
• Squamous cell carcinoma: Cancer that begins in squamous cells (thin, flat cells lining the inside of the bladder). Cancer may form after long-term infection or irritation.
• Adenocarcinoma: Cancer that begins in glandular cells that are found in the lining of the bladder. Glandular cells in the bladder make substances such as mucus. This is a very rare type of bladder cancer.

What are the risk factors for bladder cancer?

Risk factors for bladder cancer include the following:

• Using tobacco, especially smoking cigarettes.
• Having a family history of bladder cancer.
• Having certain changes in the genes that are linked to bladder cancer.
• Being exposed to paints, dyes, metals, or petroleum products in the workplace.
• Past treatment with radiation therapy to the pelvis or with certain anticancer drugs, such as cyclophosphamide or ifosfamide.
• Taking Aristolochia fangchi, a Chinese herb.
• Drinking water from a well that has high levels of arsenic.
• Drinking water that has been treated with chlorine.
• Having a history of bladder infections, including bladder infections caused by Schistosoma haematobium.
• Using urinary catheters for a long time.

What are the signs and symptoms of bladder cancer?

Signs and symptoms of bladder cancer include:

• Blood in the urine
• Frequent urination
• Pain during urination
• Lower back pain

What is the treatment for bladder cancer?

Treatment for bladder cancer includes surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy. New treatments are also being tested in clinical trials.