Quick Bladder Cancer Facts

Bladder Cancer Information

The goal of this article is to provide quick, easy-to- understand bladder cancer information and helpful facts about bladder cancer. 

Bladder cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer among men in the United States, and eighth most common among women. There are approximately 70,000 new cases diagnosed annually in the U.S. alone.

The most common type of bladder cancer, known as transitional cell carcinoma, begins in the bladder lining. There are also several other types known as squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Both squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma develop in the inner lining of the bladder, probably as the result of chronic irritation and inflammation.

Quick facts about bladder cancer causes Researchers are still trying to determine the exact cause of bladder cancer. But they have identified a number of risk factors. You are more likely to get bladder cancer if

• you are more than 40 years old,
• you are male,
• you are white (Hispanics, African Americans and Asians have a lower risk),
• you eat a lot of fried meat and fat,
• you smoke tobacco products,
• you have a history of bladder cancer in your family, or
• you have had bladder cancer before.

Bladder cancer risk factors Certain occupations seem to carry a higher bladder cancer risk. These bladder cancer risk factors involve

• rubber, chemical, and leather industries,
• hairdressers,
• machinists and metal workers,
• printers,
• painters,
• textile workers, and
• truck drivers.

It's possible workers in these careers are exposed to certain carcinogens that may cause bladder cancer, and parasites in tropical areas seem to increase the risk of getting bladder cancer.

Certain drugs that are used to treat other forms of cancer are considered to be bladder cancer risk factors. Saccharin has not shown a definite link to bladder cancer in humans, although it has caused bladder cancer in research animals.

Signs and symptoms of bladder cancer Typical signs and symptoms of bladder cancer include

• rusty or deep red urine,
• painful urination,
• urinary urgency (feeling you need to urinate even when you don't),
• lower back pain.

These may also be symptoms of a simple bladder infection or some other condition. So it's important to get the opinion of a doctor as soon as any of these bladder cancer signs and symptoms appear.

Bladder cancer treatment There are several ways to treat bladder cancer. These may be done alone or in combination, depending on the type of cancer, the stage, the individual health of the patient and a number of other factors. Bladder cancer treatment options include

• a cystectomy (bladder removal procedure)
• radiation therapy,
• chemotherapy,
• biological therapy.

Bladder cancer survival rate The success of bladder cancer treatment is generally measured in five-year survival rates, and is broken down by stage. The higher the Roman numeral of the stage, the further the cancer has progressed.

For the period from 1988 to 2001, the overall bladder cancer survival rates were

Stage 0: 98 %

Stage I: 88 %

Stage II 63 %

Stage III 46 %

Stage IV 15 %

Treatment for bladder cancer generally starts soon after the diagnosis is made, usually within weeks. A second opinion to confirm the diagnosis is a good idea.

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