What is bladder cancer?
Bladder cancer is when a tumour forms in the lining of the bladder, which can also spread to nearby muscle. Most types of bladder cancer are known as ‘transitional cell carcinomas’.
There are three types of bladder cancer:
- Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: the most common type. It only affects the lining of the bladder
- Muscle-invasive bladder cancer: when cancer spreads into muscle around the bladder. It’s then more likely to spread to other areas of the body (metastasise)
- Advanced bladder cancer: where bladder cancer has already spread (metastasised) to other parts of the body
Causes of bladder cancer
Bladder cancer may be caused by contact with harmful substances. You’re also more likely to develop bladder cancer if you smoke. There’s a greater risk if a close relative has had bladder cancer or you already have a condition such as:
- Crohn’s disease
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Diabetes
Symptoms of bladder cancer
Signs of bladder cancer include:
Blood in the urine
Pain or burning when you urinate
A sudden need to urinate
Having to urinate more often, including during the night
Feeling a need to urinate but not being able to
Pain on one side of your lower back
Sometimes these symptoms might be caused by something else. They are similar to signs of a urine infection or enlarged prostate.
Tests and diagnosis
Your doctor will discuss your symptoms and any family history of bladder cancer. Along with a physical examination, you may also have:
- A urine test to rule out a urinary tract infection
- Pelvic ultrasound scans
- Cystoscopy (a small tube is inserted to examine the urethra and a biopsy may be taken for analysis and the internal bladder wall, and a biopsy may be taken for analysis)
- CT urogram – an X-ray of the urinary tract
- CT chest, abdomen, pelvis and bone scan
- Blood tests to look for anaemia, kidney dysfunction and raised PSA.
Treatments we offer
Your specialist doctor will discuss treatment options with you including surgery (bladder removal), radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Radiotherapy kills cancer cells. It’s used in the early stages of cancer treatment or after it has started to spread. It can also be used to relieve pain and discomfort from cancer that has spread.
Chemotherapy is medication that treats your cancer. The drugs kill cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and spreading further.
Radiotherapy kills cancer cells. It’s used in the early stages of cancer treatment or after it has started to spread. It can also be used to relieve pain and discomfort from cancer that has spread.
Chemotherapy is medication that treats your cancer. The drugs kill cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and spreading further.
Meet our doctors
Everything we do is focused on designing better care for our patients. With a network of 12 specialist oncology treatment centres across the UK, we provide the most up-to-date treatments and technology as standard.
We attract and retain some of the most experienced doctors in the country, who all have a passion for improving patient outcomes and specialise in the treatment of different types of cancer.
Search for a centre near you
Unit 710, Centennial Park, Centennial Avenue, Elstree, Borehamwood, WD6 3SZ
+44 (0)208 236 9040
The Park Centre for oncology, Sherwood Lodge Drive, Burntstump Country Park, Nottingham, NG5 8RX
+44 (0)1158 077 400