Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is a disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the bladder, a hollow organ in the lower part of the abdomen shaped like a small balloon. There are three types of bladder cancer that are named for the types of cells that become cancerous: transitional cell carcinoma, squamous cell bladder carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. Risk factors for bladder cancer include tobacco use, race, gender, and family history. Symptoms of bladder cancer include blood in the urine, pain during urination, and frequent urination. Treatment options for bladder cancer vary based on the type of bladder cancer, the stage of bladder cancer, the tumor grade, and the patient's age and general health. In general, treatment for bladder cancer can include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, biological therapy, or a combination of treatments.
Bladder Cancer: An Introduction
In the disease known as bladder cancer, cancer cells form in the tissues of the bladder.
Understanding the Bladder
The bladder is a hollow organ in the lower part of the abdomen that is shaped like a small balloon and has a muscular wall that allows it to get larger or smaller. The bladder stores urine until it is passed out of the body. Urine is the liquid waste that is made by the kidneys when the kidneys clean the blood. The urine passes from the two kidneys into the bladder through two tubes called ureters. When the bladder is emptied during urination, the urine goes from the bladder to the outside of the body through another tube called the urethra.
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 cancerous, which include:
- Transitional cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell bladder carcinoma, also known as squamous cell bladder cancer
- Adenocarcinoma.
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print