Bladder Cancer

What is Bladder Cancer?

Bladder cancer occurs when cells, typically those lining the bladder, grow abnormal and form tumors.

There are two main categories of bladder cancer:

Bladder cancer is generally grouped into two primary categories based on how far the tumor has penetrated the bladder wall:

Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: This most common form accounts for about 75% of cases. In this category, the cancer is contained within the inner lining (thin tissue) of the bladder. Because it hasn’t invaded the deeper muscle layer, it is unlikely to spread outside the bladder.

Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: This is a more aggressive type where the cancer has grown into the thick muscle layer of the bladder wall. This deeper invasion makes it more likely to spread to other parts of the body.

Another category of bladder cancer includes:

Advanced Metastatic Bladder Cancer: If the cancer progresses, either growing outside the bladder into nearby tissues or spreading to distant sites like the lymph nodes, lungs, or liver, it is classified as advanced metastatic bladder cancer.

Treatment Planning

If you are diagnosed, your doctor will tailor your treatment plan based on several crucial factors, including: the stage of your cancer (how deep and far the tumor has spread), your age, and your overall general health.

Source: Urology Care Foundation