The fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the U.S., bladder cancer occurs when cells in the lining of the bladder begin to rapidly multiply. These abnormal cells crowd out or destroy the healthy ones, forming a mass (tumor). If not properly diagnosed and treated, bladder cancer can spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system.
Speak with a Bayhealth expert about treatment options for bladder cancer.
Types of Bladder Cancer
There are three main types of bladder cancer, each named for the cells where the disease originates. Other forms of bladder cancer exist, but these are the most common.
- Urothelial Carcinoma: Beginning in the cells that cause the bladder to expand and contract as urine enters and empties from it, urothelial carcinoma (formerly “transitional cell carcinoma”) is the most common type of bladder cancer.
- Adenocarcinoma: A far less common form of bladder cancer than urothelial carcinoma, adenocarcinoma originates in the cells that form mucus-secreting glands.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Often associated with infections or procedures that cause chronic irritation to the bladder (such as long-term use of a catheter), squamous cell carcinoma rarely occurs in the U.S. In certain parts of the world, a common cause of this bladder cancer is a parasitic infection called schistosomiasis.
Experts may further classify bladder cancer according to how aggressive it is.
Signs & Symptoms
While cancer that has reached an advanced stage can present numerous physical symptoms, most early signs of bladder cancer relate to changes in urination habits. The following symptoms, if they persist for weeks or months, may indicate bladder cancer.
- Blood in Urine (Hematuria): Depending on the amount, the presence of blood may cause your urine to appear bright red, light pink or blackish. In some cases, the amount of blood is so small it can only be detected by lab tests.
- Pain While Urinating (Dysuria): Painful sensations (including stinging, burning or itching) before, during or after urination could be linked to bladder cancer.
- Frequent Urination: Urinating several times during a 24-hour period (or feeling the need to urinate when your bladder is empty) may indicate a health issue such as cancer.
Other urination issues, such as an inconsistent flow that starts and stops, may also indicate a bladder infection or bladder cancer.
Risk Factors & Prevention
Among the main risk factors for bladder cancer are the following.
- Advanced Age: While the disease can develop at any age, most cases of bladder cancer occur in patients 55 and older. Many individuals aren’t diagnosed until their 70s.
- Chemical Exposure: Occupational exposure to certain industrial chemicals used in the manufacturing of leather, rubber, paint, dye and textiles can contribute to various conditions, including bladder cancer.
- Gender: Men have significantly higher rates of bladder cancer than women.
- Frequent Infections: Bladder or urinary tract infections, as well as inflammations known as cystitis, can heighten the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma.
- Previous Treatments: Exposure to radiation therapy, as well as certain drugs used in chemotherapy, may increase the risk of developing bladder cancer later in life.
- Race and Ethnicity: For unclear reasons, white individuals are twice as likely to develop bladder cancer as black or hispanic individuals.
Tobacco Cessation Programs
Smoking is among the leading causes of bladder cancer, doubling your risk of developing the disease if you’ve been a smoker at any time in your life. For this reason, our cancer care team also concentrates on preventive care for smoking-related cancers, which includes pairing you with a smoking cessation coach and certified tobacco treatment specialist who can help you quit smoking or using tobacco products.
Additionally, the Delaware Quitline is a free service available to any Delaware resident 18 years of age and older, providing phone or face-to-face counseling for tobacco cessation. Call 1-866-409-1858 to enroll.
How We Diagnose Bladder Cancer
We use the following diagnostic procedures to identify bladder cancer.
- Urinalysis: A sample of urine is analyzed in a laboratory for signs of infection.
- Cytology: One of our pathologists analyzes your urine sample under a microscope, searching for abnormal cells or other signs of cancer.
- Cystoscopy: A lighted tube with a video camera on the end (called a cystoscope) is inserted into your bladder through the urethra, looking for evidence of cancer.
- Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor (TURBT): Often performed in combination with the cystoscopy, the TURBT procedure is used to diagnose and remove bladder cancer as long as the disease has not invaded the surrounding muscles.
- Computerized Tomography (CT): Certified experts use computer-processed X-rays to generate a scan of your body in “slices” to create highly accurate images.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A combination of a magnetic field and radio waves creates three-dimensional images of specific areas of your body to determine if disease or physical abnormalities are present.
Treatment Options
Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to outline a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Experts from a range of specialties will discuss your condition and determine the best plan of action. Factors we consider when developing your treatment plan include the stage and location of the cancer and your personal medical history.
Treatments for bladder cancer include the following.
Medical Therapy
Our board-certified oncologists prescribe your medical therapy, and our highly trained nursing staff administers that therapy intravenously, orally or through injection.
Among the medical treatments we provide are the following.
- Targeted Drug Therapy: This type of cancer treatment uses drugs to “target” cancer cells without affecting normal cells.
- Chemotherapy: This drug treatment uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cancer cells in your body.
- Immunotherapy: This treatment option boosts your immune system, empowering it to fight and destroy cancer cells.
Radiation Therapy
Our team of board-certified radiation oncologists may use external beam radiation in combination with other treatments to address your cancer. Employing sophisticated technology, our therapists concentrate high-energy beams of radiation on the precise parts of your body affected by disease. This safe and accurate procedure may be administered routinely over a period of days or weeks.
Surgical Approach
Our specialized surgery team uses the latest in minimally invasive techniques to remove the parts of the bladder affected by disease. Adhering to evidence-based guidelines, our robot-assisted surgical procedures provide safe treatment for all stages of cancer.
Among the surgical procedures we use are the following.
- Cystectomy: Typically performed if there are several small tumors in your bladder, a cystectomy (or radical cystectomy) involves the removal of the entire bladder as well as the surrounding lymph nodes. In some cases, a partial cystectomy may be performed.
- Urinary Diversion: Patients who receive a cystectomy may need an additional surgical procedure to aid in urination. Urinary diversion procedures often convert part of the intestine into a passage or reservoir for urine.
Learn more about cancer treatment options at Bayhealth.
Support Services
Before, during and after your cancer treatments, our experts remain dedicated to improving your quality of life. Our care team supports you in establishing healthy routines that help you stay in control of your daily symptoms. We also host support groups that provide patients and families opportunities to connect and share their experiences — because a strong network of support can help to make the realities of cancer more manageable.
- Cancer Support Community: A statewide non-profit organization, the Cancer Support Community is dedicated to helping people manage the emotional aspects of their cancer journey. Learn more about the Cancer Support Community.
Explore our classes, events and support groups.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that test cutting-edge drugs, procedures and technologies with the purpose of establishing new or better ways of treating cancer. The skilled nurses in our Clinical Research Program can help you find clinical trial options for your specific cancer.
Speak with a Bayhealth expert about cancer treatment options.