Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer occurs when cells of the bladder grow abnormally.

Causes

• Smoking or breathing in tobacco smoke
• Genetics/family history
• Contact with chemicals used to make plastics, paints, textiles, leather and rubber
• Frequent or long-lasting bladder infections
• Cancer treatment with the drug cyclophosphamide
• Radiation therapy in the pelvic area, such as for cervical cancer or prostate cancer
• High levels of arsenic in drinking water

Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical exam. Additional tests may also be ordered for further examination.

These tests may include the following:

• Urine cytology to check the color and content of your urine and to look at body cells under a microscope
• Blood tests to gauge the kidney and liver function
• A computerized tomography scan (also known as CT or CAT scans)
• Cystoscopy, a procedure using a fiberoptic camera to view the inside of the bladder and urethra

Treatment

Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) is a procedure used for accurate tumor typing, staging and grading. During this procedure, your doctor can look inside the bladder, take tumor samples and cut away the tumor.