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Cancers We Treat

Cancers We Treat

Bladder Cancer

Learn about what Baptist Cancer Center offers you in terms of leading-edge bladder cancer treatments.

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Bladder Cancer Explained

Bladder cancer begins when in cells in the bladder grow out of control. The bladder is an organ that stores urine which is made in your kidneys and is transferred to your bladder by tubes called ureters. From your bladder, urine leaves your body through the urethra which is shorter in women and longer in men. Bladder cancers can affect not only your bladder but your ureters and urethra as well. There are different types of bladder cancers and they will have different treatment options.

Bladder Cancer Treatment Options

Many times, the best treatment for bladder cancer is a combination of treatment approaches. Bladder cancer treatment plans are determined by the patient and their doctor. Treatment plans for bladder cancer may include surgery, intravesical therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

The Different Types of Abdominal Cancer

Types of bladder cancer include:


Transitional cell carcinoma (urothelial)

Transitional cell carcinoma (urothelial) is the most common type of bladder cancer. Urothelial cells line the inside of the bladder, as well as other parts of the urinary tract. If there is a tumor, the entire urinary tract including the kidneys will need to be examined for cancerous cells.

Other Bladder Cancers
  • Squamous cell carcinoma
  • Adenocarcinoma
  • Small cell carcinoma
  • Sarcoma

Learn the Symptoms and Causes

Recognizing the signs of bladder cancer allows for timely intervention, potentially increasing the chances of successful treatment and improving your quality of life.

Causes and Risk Factors Symptoms

What causes bladder cancer?

Experts don’t know for certain what causes bladder cancer. However, certain risks can increase your chance of developing bladder cancer. In addition to family history and genetics, there are several bladder cancer risk factors .

Risk factors for bladder cancer include:

  • Smoking
  • Industrial chemical exposure
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Race or ethnicity
  • Chronic bladder problems
  • Arsenic exposure in drinking water
  • Low fluid consumption
  • Certain medications

In addition to these risk factors, having bladder or urothelial cancer can increase your risk for developing bladder cancer again. Bladder birth defects also increase a person's risk for bladder cancer.

What are the signs and symptoms of bladder cancer?

Signs and symptoms of bladder cancer include blood in the urine, changes in urination habits and pain while urinating.

Advanced bladder cancer symptoms include:

  • Inability to urinate
  • Lower back pain 
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Swelling in the feet
  • Bone pain

Urination problems are also common signs of a urinary tract infection which requires medication. Consult your physician if you are experiencing any of these symptoms


Three doctors in a professional conversation.

Related Information

Connect With a Patient Navigator

As a patient at Baptist Cancer Center, you will have access to a dedicated patient navigator who will act as your advocate and liaison between you and your health care teams. Our patient navigators are available at every step to schedule appointments, answer questions, explain the treatment process, and provide resources, education and support when you and your family need it.