Bladder Cancer
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Welcome to Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). We specialize in treating many types of cancer, including bladder cancer.
The National Cancer Institute says bladder cancer is diagnosed in about 15,000 women, and about 38,000 men, each year in the United States. These numbers make bladder cancer the eighth most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and fourth most common cancer in men.
What is Bladder Cancer?
Bladder cancer found only in the lining of the bladder is known as superficial bladder cancer, or carcinoma in situ. This means the cancer has not spread beyond the cells in which it began.
Bladder cancer that begins as a superficial tumor may grow through the lining and into the muscular wall of the bladder. When this happens, doctors refer to it as invasive bladder cancer. Invasive bladder cancer may extend through the bladder wall and into a nearby organ. Organs that may be affected by invasive bladder cancer are the uterus or vagina in women. Men may experience spreading to their prostate gland.
When bladder cancer spreads outside the bladder, cancer cells may be found in lymph nodes that are nearby. It can also spread outside the lymph nodes to other organs such as the liver, lungs and bones.
Related Risk Factors
Cigarette smokers are up to three times more likely to get bladder cancer than nonsmokers. Both cigar and pipe smoking also increase this risk, as well as workers who are surrounded by carcinogens.
Transitional Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Transitional cells and squamous cells are the names given to the cells that line the walls of the bladder. Transitional cells can vary in shape depending on whether the tissue is being stretched. These cells can be stretched without breaking. Squamous cells are flat and appear similar to fish cells when viewed under a microscope.
More than 90 percent of bladder cancer cases begin in the transitional cells. Bladder cancer in the transitional cells is called transitional cell carcinoma. Roughly eight percent of bladder cancer patients have squamous cell carcinoma, in which the bladder cancer is located in the squamous cells.
More Bladder Cancer Information
Cancer Treatment Centers of America uses many tools to help you fight bladder cancer. Please explore our site to learn more, including information on metastatic bladder cancer, causes, symptoms, and bladder cancer treatment.
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