Bladder Cancer: Symptoms and Causes

One of the most common cancers happens to be the Bladder Cancer, which is found to occur more frequently in men as compared to women, typically affecting the older adults. However, it can occur during any age-range.

This type of cancer generally arises in the cells lining the insides of the bladder and can occur in other parts of the urinary tract drainage system, although found most commonly in the bladder.

The Bladder Cancer is the most treatable at the first stage; approx seven of ten bladder cancers diagnosed are found at this stage. However, patients with this type of cancer still require follow-up tests after years of treatment as even early-stage bladder cancer has a tendency of recurring or advancing to the higher stage.

The typical signs and symptoms of Bladder Cancer include:

• Blood in urine or Hematuria
• Painful urination
• Pelvic pain

For a person having Hematuria, one may witness a bright red or cola colored urine. However, in some cases, the urine may not look appear different but the blood in urine could be detected with the help of a microscopic exam.

Other symptoms which are also experienced during the Bladder Cancer include backache and frequent urination.  

However, these symptoms may also appear in the presence of something else than Bladder Cancer.

A person should visit a doctor as soon as you witness blood in the urine, also known as Hematuria. This may be accompanied by other alarming signs or symptoms which may be troubling.

When the cells present in the bladder begin to build in an abnormal manner, is when the Bladder Cancer begins to breed. These very cells tend to develop mutations, leading them to grow uncontrollably ultimately causing death instead of growing and dividing in an orderly manner. Hence, a tumor is formed from such as these abnormal cells.

The typical causes of bladder cancer may be observed as follows:

• Smoking along with other tobacco consumption
• Exposure to chemicals, particularly for workers placed in a job exposed to harsh chemicals
• Past radiation exposure
• Chronic irritation of the bladder’s lining
• Parasitic infections

While the exact causes of Bladder Cancer may be unknown, few cases would be such where the cancer patient hasn’t witnessed the obvious risk factors.

Types of Bladder Cancer

The various cells present in the bladder carry a tendency to become cancerous. What determines the type of bladder cancer is the type of bladder cell present, which in turn directs the appropriate treatment advisable.

The various types of bladder cancer include:

Urothelial Carcinoma:

Transitional cell carcinoma or Urothelial Carcinoma typically develops in the cells lining the insides of the bladder. These cells enlarge with the bladder full and narrows with the bladder empty. The same cells exist lining the insides of the ureters as well as the urethra. However, tumors could also find a form there. Urothelial carcinoma happens to be one of the most common types of Bladder Cancers.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma:

Associated with chronic irritation of the bladder, Squamous Cell Carcinoma may arise from an existing infection or from using a urinary catheter for a prolonged time. This type of cancer is more prevalent in such areas of the world where specific parasitic infections or Schistosomiasis causing bladder infections is a norm.

Adenocarcinoma:

Adenocarcinoma arises in the cells found in the mucus-secreting glands situated in the bladder.  

However, few Bladder Cancers may form due to more than one type of cells.