Bladder Cancer
What you need to know
What is Bladder Cancer?
Bladder cancers are divided into several different types based on how their cells look under a microscope. Each type can respond differently to treatments. 9 out of 10 bladder cancers are under the type Transitional cell (urothelial) carcinoma.
Bladder cancer is often described based on how far they’ve invaded the wall of the bladder. This includes:
- Non-invasive bladder cancers are still in the inner layer of cells (the transitional epithelium) but have not grown into the deeper layers.
- Invasive cancers grow into the lamina propria or even deeper into the muscle layer. Invasive cancers are more likely to spread and are harder to treat.
Bladder cancers occur mainly in later years. 9 out of 10 people with bladder cancer are over 55, with the average age of diagnosis being 73. There are many factors that determine your risk of developing bladder cancer including age, family history, gender, and even personal choice health factors such as smoking and not drinking enough fluids.
Bladder Cancer Detection
If you or your doctor feels that you are at a high risk of developing bladder cancer there are tests that can be done for possible early detection. However, for a person at average risk it is best to watch for possible signs including blood in your urine, painful or inability to urinate, or changes in bladder habits (urinating more often than usual) While these signs do not always indicate cancer it is important to get them checked out by a doctor.
Bladder cancer is a highly specialized area and treatment that will work for you depends on many factors, all of which we will discuss with you. We will give you your options and guide you through this.
Contact us online or call (215) 563-1199 to schedule an appointment.