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Bladder cancer is a type of malignancy that occurs when there is an uncontrolled growth of cancer cells that forms a malignant tumor in the bladder. Bladder cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, but bladder cancer is not as likely to spread to other parts of the body (metastasize) are some forms of cancer, such as ovarian cancer and prostate cancer. However, bladder cancer has a high risk of recurring after treatment.
Bladder cancer is most treatable and curable if caught in the earliest stage of the disease. Untreated and/or advanced bladder cancer can spread from the lining of the inside of the bladder into the deeper tissues of the bladder muscle and nearby organs, such as the prostate and uterus. In the most advanced stages, bladder cancer can spread through the pelvic lymph nodes and blood to other organs, such as the liver, lungs and bones and form another cancerous tumor. This is called metastasis.
The bladder is an organ located in the pelvis that stores urine. Symptoms of bladder cancer include a frequent, urgent need to urinate (frequency, urgency) and a variety of other symptoms. Complications of bladder cancer can result in additional symptoms. For more details on complications and other key symptoms, refer to symptoms of bladder cancer.
People at risk for developing bladder cancer include smokers and people who have a chronic, ongoing bladder infection. People who have had certain types of chemotherapy, radiation therapy for cervical cancer, and exposure to certain chemicals, especially arylamines, are also at risk for bladder cancer. Men get bladder cancer more often than women.
Diagnosing bladder cancer begins with taking a thorough personal and family medical history, including symptoms and risk factors for bladder cancer. Diagnosis also includes completing a physical examination that concentrates on the bladder and urinary and reproductive systems.
A test on the urine, called an urinanalysis, is performed to check for blood in the urine (hematuria) and to rule-out certain other conditions with similar symptoms, such as a bladder infection. Imaging tests, such as CT scan, ultrasound scan, and/or MRI, may be ordered to create a computerized picture of the inside of the bladder.
A procedure called a cystoscopy, another imaging test, may be performed. In a cystoscopy, the inside of the bladder is visualized directly through a special instrument called a cystoscope. The cystoscope is a small tube that is inserted into the bladder through the urethra. During a cystoscopy, the physician may be able to remove a small bladder tumor. A sample of cells or tissues from the bladder tumor is then examined under a microscope for the presence of cancer cells to confirm a diagnosis.
The prognosis for people with bladder cancer varies depending on the stage of advancement of the cancer and other factors. Additional treatment of bladder cancer may include surgery, medications, and chemotherapy. For more details about treatment, refer to treatment of bladder cancer.
A diagnosis of bladder cancer can be missed or delayed because some symptoms of bladder cancer are similar to symptoms of other conditions. For more information about other diseases, disorders and conditions that can mimic bladder cancer, refer to misdiagnosis of bladder cancer....more »
A diagnosis of bladder cancer can be delayed or missed because some symptoms of bladder cancer can be similar to symptoms of other diseases or conditions. These include urinary tract infection, bladder infection, cystitis, pyelonephritis, overactive bladder, stress incontinence, and some sexually transmitted diseases. ...more misdiagnosis »
The following medical conditions are some of the possible
causes of Bladder cancer.
There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor
about your symptoms.
See full list of 8 causes of Bladder cancer
» Review Causes of Bladder cancer: Causes | Symptom Checker »
Home medical tests possibly related to Bladder cancer:
Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Bladder cancer, as listed in our database. Visit the Symptom Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.
See full list of 188 Symptom Checkers for Bladder cancer
Treatment of bladder cancer starts with prevention. Preventive measures include not smoking and avoiding exposure to carcinogens, especially chemicals called arylamines, which increase the risk of developing bladder cancer. Prompt and effective treatment of bladder infections is also important in preventing bladder cancer.
Prevention of bladder cancer also ...Bladder cancer Treatments
Some of the possible treatments listed in sources for treatment of Bladder cancer may include:
Review further information on Bladder cancer Treatments.
Alternative treatments or home remedies that have been listed as possibly helpful for Bladder cancer may include:
Some of the comorbid or associated medical symptoms for Bladder cancer may include these symptoms:
See all associated comorbid symptoms for Bladder cancer
Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:
Research the causes of related medical symptoms such as:
Spitz nevi misdiagnosed as dangerous melanoma skin cancer: One possible misdiagnosis to consider in lieu of melanoma is spitz nevi. See melanoma and spitz nevi....read more »
Interstitial cystitis an under-diagnosed bladder condition: The medical condition of interstitial cystitic is a bladder condition that can be misdiagnosed as various conditions such as overactive bladder or other causes of pelvic pain. This condition...read more »
Read more about Misdiagnosis and Bladder cancer
Other ways to find a doctor, or use doctor, physician and specialist online research services:
Research extensive quality ratings and patient safety measures for hospitals, clinics and medical facilities in health specialties related to Bladder cancer:
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Rare types of medical conditions and diseases in related medical categories:
Conditions that are commonly undiagnosed in related areas may include:
Abnormal malignant growth of the cells within the bladder. - 2003
- (Source - Diseases Database)
Cancer that forms in tissues of the bladder (the organ that stores urine). Most bladder cancers are transitional cell carcinomas (cancer that forms in cells in the innermost tissue layer of the bladder). Other types include squamous cell carcinoma (cancer that begins in flat cells lining the inside of the bladder) and adenocarcinoma (cancer that begins in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids).
- (Source - National Cancer Institute)
Bladder cancer is listed as a "rare disease" by the Office of
Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH). This means that Bladder cancer, or a subtype of Bladder cancer,
affects less than 200,000 people in the US population.
- (Source - National Institute of Health)
The list below shows some of the causes of Bladder cancer mentioned in various sources:
See full list of 8 causes of Bladder cancer
This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Bladder cancer. Of the 8 causes of Bladder cancer that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:
See the analysis of the prevalence of 8 causes of Bladder cancer
The following list of conditions have 'Bladder cancer' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.
Select from the following alphabetical view of conditions which include a symptom of Bladder cancer or choose View All.
The following list of medical conditions have Bladder cancer or similar listed as a medical complication in our database. The distinction between a symptom and complication is not always clear, and conditions mentioning this symptom as a complication may also be relevant. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.
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This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Bladder cancer based
on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient:
Medical Conditions associated with Bladder cancer:
Bladder symptoms (1010 causes), Urinary system symptoms (1228 causes), Cancer-related symptoms (173 causes), Urinary problems (1033 causes), Digestive symptoms (5299 causes), Abdominal symptoms (5930 causes), Urinary difficulty (648 causes), Sexual symptoms (1838 causes), Intercourse symptoms (258 causes), Lower abdominal symptoms (3048 causes)
Doctor-patient articles related to symptoms and diagnosis:
These general medical articles may be of interest:
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