What is bladder cancer?
The bladder is a hollow and muscular organ that collects and stores pee (urine). In the UK, over 10,000 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer each year. The actual number is likely to be higher than this because of the way this information is collected.
Bladder cancer is often described using the following terms. These explain whether the cancer is only in the bladder lining or has spread through the wall of the bladder.
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Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC)
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Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC)
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Locally advanced bladder cancer
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Advanced bladder cancer
Booklets and resources
Types of bladder cancer
There are different types of bladder cancer. These are named after the cell they started in.
The most common type is called urothelial cancer. It is also called urothelial carcinoma or transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). It starts in cells called urothelial or transitional cells in the bladder lining.
Less common types of bladder cancer include:
- squamous cell carcinoma
- adenocarcinoma
- small cell bladder cancer.
These start from different types of cells in the bladder lining. They are usually muscle-invasive bladder cancers.
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Symptoms of bladder cancer
The most common bladder cancer symptom is blood in the pee (urine). Blood in pee is also called haematuria. This can be blood that you can see, which may be called visible blood. Or it can be blood that is seen when a doctor or nurse does a urine dipstick. This may be called non-visible blood.
Many people with blood in their pee will not have bladder cancer. But if you have any symptoms, it is important to get them checked by your GP. The earlier bladder cancer is diagnosed the more likely it is to be cured.
We have more information about signs and symptoms of bladder cancer.
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Causes of bladder cancer
There are certain things that can affect the chances of developing bladder cancer. These are called risk factors.
The risk of bladder cancer is higher in people over the age of 60. It is less common in people under the age of 40. Another risk factor is smoking. Smoking may cause about 5 in 10 (50%) bladder cancers.
We have more information about these and other causes and risk factors of bladder cancer.
Diagnosis of bladder cancer
If you have any symptoms you should see your GP. They can test your pee (urine) for blood and send it to a lab to check for a urine infection (UTI). They may also send the pee away to be tested for cancer cells.
They may examine you internally. This is because the bladder is close to the bowel, and the prostate or womb. The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the back passage (rectum) or vagina. This is called an internal examination. They will feel to see if there are any obvious changes.
If your GP thinks you may have cancer or is not sure what is causing your symptoms, they will refer you to a urologist. This is a doctor who treats bladder and kidney problems. Or you may see a nurse called a urology nurse specialist. If tests or symptoms suggest you could have bladder cancer, your GP will refer you urgently. This means you should get a specialist appointment as soon as possible.
Most people see the nurse or doctor at a haematuria clinic or at a hospital’s urology department. The doctor or nurse may test your pee and give you an internal examination again. They will arrange for you to have further tests if they think you need them. You usually have most of the tests on the same day.
Tests
You may have some of the following tests:
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Cystoscopy
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Blood tests
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Urine tests
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Ultrasound scan
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CT urogram
You may also have tests to check areas near the bladder or to look for signs of cancer in other areas of the body. These may include:
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CT scan
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MRI scan
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PET-CT scan
Waiting for test results can be a difficult time. We have more information that may help.
Staging and grading of bladder cancer
The stage of a cancer describes where the cancer has been found and other places it has spread to.
Grading describes how the cancer cells look under the microscope compared with normal cells.
Knowing the stage and grade helps your doctors plan the best treatment for you.
We have more information about staging and grading of bladder cancer.
Treatment for bladder cancer
A team of specialists will meet to discuss the best possible treatment for you. This is called a multidisciplinary team (MDT).
Your treatment may depend on:
- the type of cancer
- the stage and grade of the cancer
- how many tumours there are
- your general health.
You can read about treatments for different stages of bladder cancer below. We also have more information about treating bladder cancer and making treatment decisions.
Your cancer doctor, radiotherapy specialist or nurse will explain the different treatments and their side effects before you agree (consent) to have treatment. They will also talk to you about the things you should consider when making treatment decisions.
You may have some treatments as part of a clinical trial.
Treating non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer
Non-muscle-invasive means the cancer cells are in the inner lining or the connective tissue that surrounds the inner lining of the bladder. They have not spread into the muscle layer below this.
Treatments may include the following:
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Transurethral resection of the bladder (TURBT)
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Intravesical chemotherapy
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BCG
Cystectomy
Some people may have a cystectomy. This is surgery to remove the bladder. You may be asked to think about this if you have:
- a high-risk cancer
- a cancer that keeps coming back and treatments are not working.
Other treatments
Sometimes other treatments may be used to treat non muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The following treatments may only be available at some hospitals:
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Heated intravesical chemotherapy
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Electromotive intravesical chemotherapy
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Tumour ablation
New treatments are being developed for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Some treatments may be offered as part of a clinical trial. This includes immunotherapy.
Treating muscle-invasive bladder cancer
Muscle-invasive means the cancer has spread into or through the muscle layer of the bladder wall. Treatment usually aims to cure the cancer with one of the following:
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Cystectomy
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Radical radiotherapy
Treating locally advanced bladder cancer
Locally advanced means the cancer has spread outside the bladder into nearby areas of the body.
The best treatment depends on what areas of the body are affected.
Some people will have treatment that aims to cure the cancer. There is more information about this under the ‘Treating muscle-invasive bladder cancer’ heading above.
Others will have treatment that aims to control the cancer and any symptoms it is causing. There is more information about this under the ‘Treating advanced bladder cancer and symptoms’ heading below.
Treating advanced bladder cancer and symptoms
Advanced bladder cancer is cancer that has spread from the bladder to other parts of the body. Sometimes this is called metastatic bladder cancer.
People with advanced and some people with locally advanced bladder cancer have treatments that aims to:
- shrink or control the cancer and help you live longer
- reduce your symptoms and improve quality of life.
This is called supportive treatment or palliative treatment. It may include the following:
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Chemotherapy
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Immunotherapies
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Radiotherapy
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Bone strengthening drugs
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Ureteric stent
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Nephrostomy
You may have some treatments as part of a clinical trial. Your doctor will explain if this is available.
After bladder cancer treatment
Follow-up after treatment
After treatment for bladder cancer, you will have regular follow-up appointments with your cancer doctor or nurse. These are usually every few months to start with. If you have any problems or notice new symptoms between appointments, let your doctor or nurse know as soon as possible.
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Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer follow-up
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Muscle-invasive bladder cancer follow-up
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Advanced bladder cancer follow-up
You may get anxious between appointments. This is natural. It may help to get support from family, friends or a support organisation.
Macmillan is also here to support you. If you would like to talk, you can:
- Call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00.
- Chat to our specialists online.
- Visit our bladder cancer forum to talk with people who have been affected by bladder cancer, share your experience, and ask an expert your questions.
Well-being and recovery
Making small changes such as eating well and keeping active can improve your health and well-being and help your body recover.
Even if you already have a healthy lifestyle, you may choose to make some positive lifestyle changes after treatment.
Some treatments for bladder cancer can cause ongoing side effects. This may include bladder or bowel changes, or problems with sexual well-being. Sometimes side effects are long term. You can find out more in our information about each type of bladder cancer treatment.
Help and support is available, and there are usually things that can help you cope. Talk to your cancer doctor, nurse or GP if you have side effects or changes and need advice.
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