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Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is cancer of the urinary bladder. The urinary bladder is the structure that holds urine produced by the kidneys. Bladder cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the bladder lining grow and form cancerous tumors. Sometimes the tumor stays in the superficial lining of the bladder. It also can invade the deeper layers of the bladder and spread to other organs.

In 2023, bladder cancer was found to be the fifth most diagnosed cancer in Italy, with 29,700 cases, with a much higher incidence in the male population (23,700 new cases) (source: I numeri del cancro in Italia 2023).

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What Is Bladder Cancer?

Bladder cancer is cancer of the urinary bladder. The urinary bladder is the structure that holds urine produced by the kidneys. Bladder cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the bladder lining grow and form cancerous tumors.

What Cause Bladder Cancer?

The exact cause of bladder cancer is unknown, but smoking tobacco is a major risk factor for developing it.

Other risk factors are:

  • Family history.
  • Obesity.
  • Male gender.
  • Workplace exposure to certain paints, dyes, metals, or petroleum products.
  • Environmental pollution.
  • Prior chemotherapy or radiation treatments.
  • History of bladder infections.
  • Taking the diabetes drug pioglitazone for more than one year.
  • Using urinary catheters for extended periods of time.

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What Are the Symptoms of Bladder Cancer?

Bladder cancer can have a variety of symptoms including:

  • Blood in urine.
  • Painful, difficult, and frequent urination.
  • Excessive tiredness.
  • Lower back pain.
  • Decreased appetite and weight loss.

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How Do You Diagnose Bladder Cancer?

The specialist examination begins with an accurate patient history, after which the specialist may recommend further tests, including:

  • Urine analysis – to detect the presence of blood.
  • Urinary cytology – to identify any cancerous cells.
  • Cystoscopy – a quick and painless exam in which a cystoscope, a thin instrument with a light and camera, is inserted into the bladder to detect signs of cancer.
  • Biopsy – to analyze a tissue sample and determine the nature of the mass.
  • Imaging test – a CT scan of the chest, abdomen, or pelvis may be necessary to assess the extent of the disease.

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How Do You Treat Bladder Cancer?

If you notice early signs of bladder cancer, it’s important to undergo bladder cancer diagnostic tests. The good news is that, if diagnosed in the early stages, bladder cancer is easily curable. However, treatment may be less effective if the disease has progressed.

There are several bladder cancer treatment options available. The specialist will identify the most suitable treatment depending on the stage, grade and invasiveness of the tumour:

  • Active surveillance – monitoring with periodic cystoscopies without further treatments.
  • Intravesical treatment – administration of chemotherapy agents directly into the bladder to prevent cancer recurrence.
  • Surgery – removal of the tumor using techniques that vary depending on the extent of the disease.
  • Radiotherapy – also in combination with other treatments.
  • Radiotherapy – used alone or in combination with other treatments.
  • Chemotherapy – used to reduce the size of the tumor before surgery or to eliminate remaining cancer cells.
  • Immunotherapy – helps the immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells.

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Reviewed October 2024.