This eMedTV article provides an overview of bladder cancer, a disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the bladder. The three types of bladder cancer are transitional cell carcinoma, squamous cell bladder carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma.
Of all the bladder cancer types, the most common is transitional cell carcinoma. This page of the eMedTV library provides detailed information about these and other forms of bladder cancer, such as squamous cell bladder carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
Although scientists have not identified a specific bladder cancer cause, they continue looking for answers. This eMedTV resource discusses risk factors that, while not actual causes, increase a person's chance of developing bladder cancer.
Tobacco use, occupational exposure to carcinogens, and infection are possible bladder cancer risk factors. This eMedTV page discusses these and other potential risk factors, but emphasizes that they do not necessarily mean a person will get the disease.
Common bladder cancer symptoms include pain during urination, blood in the urine, and frequent urination. This eMedTV Web page provides a list of other possible symptoms and explains what to do if they occur.
A bladder cancer diagnosis may involve a physical exam, urine tests, or procedures, such as a biopsy. This eMedTV Web page explains the process by which a doctor arrives at a bladder cancer diagnosis.
The process by which doctors determine the extent of bladder cancer is called staging. This eMedTV Web segment discusses in detail the tests and procedures used in bladder cancer staging to measure the cancer's size and whether it has spread.
Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and biological therapy are often used to treat bladder cancer. This eMedTV resource provides an overview of these treatment options and explains the importance of proper nutrition and follow-up care.
Bladder cancer prevention strategies may include quitting smoking and eliminating or reducing exposure to carcinogens in the workplace. This eMedTV article explains the importance of reducing risk factors when engaging in bladder cancer prevention.
While a routine bladder cancer screening test has not yet been developed, doctors may use a hematuria test to screen for the disease. This eMedTV article provides information about bladder cancer screening.
Factors that affect a bladder cancer prognosis include the type and location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and its grade. As this eMedTV page explains, the patient's age and general health also may affect a bladder cancer prognosis.
From 1998 to 2002, the median age at diagnosis for bladder cancer was 63 years. This eMedTV resource offers several bladder cancer statistics, including five-year survival rates, statistics on mortality, information on a person's lifetime risk, and more.
As this eMedTV article explains, scientists are currently studying a variety of treatment options for bladder cancer, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. This resource offers an overview of the current research on bladder cancer.
