What Is Bladder Cancer? What Are Its Symptoms?

Bladder cancer is the seventh most frequently diagnosed cancer in the male population worldwide and ranks tenth when both sexes are considered. The age-standardized incidence rate worldwide (per 100,000 persons per year) is 9.5 in men and 2.4 in women.
Approximately 75% of bladder cancer cases are superficial, confined to the mucosa (stage Ta, CIS) or submucosa (stage T1); this rate is even higher in younger patients (<40 years). Patients at these stages have a lower risk of cancer-specific mortality compared to patients with T2-4 disease.

What Is Bladder Cancer?

Bladder cancer is a serious and malignant type of disease that develops as a result of the uncontrolled growth and division of abnormal cells in the bladder. Early diagnosis of bladder cancer is very important for controlling the disease before it progresses and increasing treatment success.

What Are the Risk Factors for Bladder Cancer?

Bladder cancer risk factors can arise from various elements. Smoking is the most significant risk factor for bladder cancer and is responsible for approximately 50% of cases. Occupational exposure to aromatic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydrocarbons is the second most important risk factor for bladder cancer, accounting for about 10% of all cases. Such occupational exposure occurs mainly in industrial facilities processing dyes, metals, and petroleum products. Family history appears to have very little effect. To date, no clinically significant genetic alteration has been associated with bladder cancer. Genetic predisposition may lead to higher susceptibility to risk factors and may thus explain the fact that bladder cancer has been observed more frequently in first- and second-degree relatives, which has been confirmed more recently. Nutritional habits seem to have a limited effect on the risk of developing bladder cancer. Although the effect of fluid intake habits remains unclear, chlorination of drinking water and subsequent trihalomethane levels are potentially carcinogenic. Additionally, exposure to arsenic in drinking water is also suggested to increase the risk of bladder cancer.

What Are the Symptoms of Bladder Cancer?

Hematuria (blood in the urine) is the most common finding among bladder cancer symptoms. Visible hematuria has been found to be associated with a higher stage at the time of diagnosis compared to non-visible hematuria. However, it should be remembered that bladder cancer symptoms can mimic complaints of a simple urinary tract infection and benign prostatic enlargement.

How Is Bladder Cancer Diagnosed?

Bladder cancer diagnosis is made by confirming the mass via cystoscopy (visualizing the inside of the bladder with a video-optic system) following the detection of a mass on an ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan taken for another reason or due to suspicion of bladder cancer, and then performing a pathological examination of the mass removed as a result of the TURBT (endoscopic resection of the bladder tumor) operation performed during the same session.

How Is Bladder Cancer Treated?

Bladder cancer treatment is carried out using methods that vary depending on the stage of the cancer. While early-stage bladder tumors are treated endoscopically, more advanced cases are treated with more aggressive methods that require removal of the bladder.