Bladder cancer begins when the cells in the urinary bladder start to grow out of control. This causes the development of lumps, known as tumors. Some tumors may be 'benign' or generally harmless, but they can also be 'malignant' or cancerous. Malignant tumors can metastasize or spread to other parts of the body.
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The bladder is located in the lower pelvis. It is a hollow organ that stores urine. Urine is the liquid waste filtered by the kidneys and carried into the bladder through the ureters, which are small tubes. The muscles of the bladder wall contract when you urinate; this forces the urine out of your body through another tube called the urethra.
There are several layers in the bladder wall. Every layer is made up of different cells. Most bladder cancers start at the urothelium, which is the innermost layer. This is known as non-invasive bladder cancer, carcinoma in situ (CIS), or cancer stage 0. The longer the cancer grows, the further it spreads into other layers and the harder it becomes to treat. This is known as invasive bladder cancer. If a bladder cancer has not yet invaded the muscular layer, it is classified as superficial.
Bladder cancers are also classified based on their growth. If they grow in slender, finger-like projections towards the hollow center from the inner surface of the bladder, they are called papillary carcinomas or papillary tumors. Slow-growing and non-invasive papillary tumors are called papillary urothelial neoplasms of low-malignant potential (PUNLMP) and are quite easy to treat.
If bladder cancer does not grow towards the hollow part of the bladder at all, it is called a flat carcinoma. A flat carcinoma that remains in the inner layer of the bladder is called a non-invasive flat carcinoma or a flat carcinoma in situ (CIS).
Urothelial carcinoma is the most common type of bladder cancer. Almost all cases of bladder cancer diagnosed are urothelial carcinomas. This cancer begins in the urothelial cells that line the inside of the bladder and the urinary tract. These cells can be found in the linings of the renal pelvis, ureters, and urethra. Tumors will also develop in those areas if you have this type of bladder cancer.
This is a rare type of bladder cancer, only making up 1-2% of the cases diagnosed, and looks like the flat cells on the surface of the skin when examined through a microscope.
Adenocarcinomas start in the gland-forming cells and make up only 1% of bladder cancers.
Small cell carcinomas start in the neuroendocrine cells, which are nerve-like cells. Small-cell carcinomas grow quickly and usually require chemotherapy for treatment. They make up less than 1% of all diagnosed bladder cancers.
Sarcomas start in the muscle cells of the bladder. They are extremely rare.
If bladder cancer is found early, it is usually because of blood in the urine, which is an immediate cause for concern no matter the condition. Blood in the urine or 'hematuria' is the first indicator of bladder cancer. It may not be painful at first.
It may also not discolor all of the urine entirely but can still be found in small amounts during testing. But for more serious cases, the urine may turn pink, orange, or dark red. While it can be caused by other things like infections, kidney stones, or benign tumors in unfortunate locations, it is wise to immediately approach a doctor for a urine test at the first sign of hematuria, even if it does not appear consistently or goes away for some time.
Bladder cancer can also cause changes in bladder habits, such as:
These may also be caused by other illnesses like bladder stones, Urinary tract infections, an enlarged prostate, or sexually transmitted diseases, but it is important to immediately consult your doctor when you suffer from these. More severe symptoms, which usually indicate advanced bladder cancer, are the following:
If you or a loved one have suffered from a misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis for your bladder cancer, contact us at 833-PORTER9, or e-mail us at info@porterlawteam.com to discuss the details of our experience representing other clients and the results we were able to obtain in the past for clients who are suffering as you are. In many ways, our results speak for themselves, and we will stand ready to help you and your family in your time of greatest need.
