Bladder Cancer is the abnormal growth of the cells surrounding the bladder’s inner wall (urothelium). These types of cells can also be found in the ureters and kidneys. There are other types of bladder cancers that are less common, such as squamous cell, small cell, adenocarcinoma, and sarcoma.

Signs and symptoms of bladder cancer include:
• Blood in the urine (hematuria), either macroscopic or microscopic.
• Frequent urination.
• Painful urination.
• Back pain.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bladder-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20356104

The most important risk factor is smoking, which is the cause of over half of all cases of bladder cancer. Moreover, smokers increase their risk of bladder cancer by over three times compared to a non-smoker.

The American Cancer Society states that in the United States of America in 2022, 81,180 new bladder cancer cases will be diagnosed, and 17,100 people will die from this disease. Additionally, it is the 4th most common cancer in men.

This type of cancer is usually diagnosed in older people with an average age of 72. It is more common in White Americans than in Black Americans or Hispanics. Bladder cancer is diagnosed by cystoscopy with direct observation of the lesion, resection, and pathological study of the specimen. It can be classified as non-muscle invasive if the cancer cells are isolated in the superficial layer of the bladder wall or muscle-invasive if the cells have grown into or beyond the muscle layer of the bladder wall. This classification is important because it can alter the treatment.

Non-invasive bladder cancer is most often treated with transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) followed by intravesical therapy (chemotherapy or immunotherapy).

In cases where cancer invades the muscle layer, the bladder needs to be removed. Most of the time, chemotherapy is given before the surgery. After the cystectomy a urine reservoir is created with a piece of intestine and the ureters are attached to it. This reservoir can be attached to the abdominal wall creating a stoma (ileal conduit, Indiana pouch), or to the urethra (neobladder).

Radiation is another therapeutic option that can be used in conjunction with TURBT in early-stage bladder cancer or in patients who cannot undergo or don’t want surgery or chemotherapy. Additionally, it can be used in cases of advanced bladder cancer.

References:

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bladder-cancer.html