Bladder Cancer – The Basics

Karl Marvin Tan MD

May 18, 2021

The bladder is located in the pelvis and plays an important role in the body by storing urine (liquid waste produced by the kidneys) until it leaves. The bladder has several different types of cells in each layer. The inside lining of the bladder is where most bladder cancers begin. Cancer of the tissue that lines the inner surface of the bladder is known as non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). There isn’t any involvement of the bladder muscle.

The cancer can become more serious if cancer cells begin to develop into or through the other layers of the bladder wall. MIBC (muscle invasive bladder cancer) is a form of bladder cancer that spreads to the detrusor muscle. The detrusor muscle is a thick muscle that runs along the inside of the bladder wall. This form of cancer has a higher chance of spreading to other areas of the body. Bladder cancer can affect both men and women, particularly as they get older, despite the fact that it is more common in men.

Some individuals do not have any symptoms, but if they do, they should not be dismissed. If you have blood in your urine, a regular and urgent need to pass urine, discomfort when passing urine, or pain in your lower abdomen or back, see your doctor. Since these signs do not necessarily indicate bladder cancer, it is important to speak with your urologist about the next steps.

Links about Bladder Cancer Below:

Bladder Cancer and Smoking

How Your Urologist Would Detect Bladder Cancer?

Questions to Ask Your Urologist Before Undergoing a Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer