The bladder is part of the urinary tract. The urinary tract which rids your body of liquid waste is made up of your kidneys, ureters (urine travels through these tubes through the kidneys) urethra, and bladder. Bladder cancer accounts for approximately 90% of cancers of the urinary system.

In bladder cancer certain cells in the urinary tract change in ways that are not normal. These cells can multiply out of control and form a lump of tissue (a tumor). Over time, the cancer cells destroy healthy tissue and they may travel to other parts of the body. (Dr. Mark Libin specializes in bladder cancer and he sees patients in the Poughkeepsie office)

Causes

The major risk factor for bladder cancer is cigarette smoking. Smokers are more than twice as likely to develop the disease as non-smokers. The longer a person smokes, the greater the chance of developing bladder cancer. Other risk factors include the following:

Exposure to carcinogens in the workplace also increases the risk for bladder cancer. Medical workers exposed during the preparation, storage, administration, or disposal of antineoplastic drugs (used in chemotherapy) are at increased risk. Occupational risk factors include recurrent and early exposure to hair dye, and exposure to dye containing aniline, a chemical used in medical and industrial dyes. Workers at increased risk include the following; Hairdressers, Machinists, Printers, Painters, Truck drivers, and those in rubber, chemical, textile, metal, and leather industries.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine.This may be visible to the naked eye or visible only under a microscope and is usually painless. Bladder cancer must be ruled out in any patient who develops gross, painless blood in the urine. Other bladder cancer symptoms include frequent urination and pain upon urination.

Diagnosis

Bladder cancer found in its early stages has an excellent chance to be cured. Diagnosis of bladder cancer includes urological tests and imaging tests. A complete medical history is used to identify potential risk factors (e.g., smoking, exposure to dyes).Diagnosis is can be made with several options:

Urine cytology: A urine sample is examined under microscope for cancer cells.

CT scan or intravenous pyelogram IVP: A series of special x-rays that are taken of your kidneys and bladder. One or both tests may be given. CAT scans are available at the Premier Medical Group Urology Division Poughkeepsie location.

Cystoscopy: The inside of your bladder is closely examined by the doctor with a special telescope called a cystoscope which is inserted through your urethra. During this procedure biopsy samples can be taken for later study.

Types of Bladder Cancer Bladder cancer usually originates in the bladder lining, which consists of a mucosa layer of surface cells that expand and deflate (transitional epithelial cells), smooth muscle, and a fibrous layer. Tumors are broadly categorized as low-stage (superficial) or high-stage (muscle invasive). Common types of bladder cancer:

Papillary tumors: These tumors stick out from the bladder lining on a stalk and tend to grow into the bladder cavity, away from the bladder wall, instead of deeper into the layers of the bladder wall (see the adjacent images).

Sessile tumors: This type of tumor lies flat against the bladder lining. They are more likely to grow deeper into the layers of bladder wall then papillary tumors.

Carcinoma in situ (CIS): This is a cancerous patch of bladder lining. The patch may look almost normal or may look inflamed.