Bladder cancer occurs when abnormal urothelial cells develop in the inner walls of this pouch-like organ located within the lower pelvic region. The bladder is attached to the kidneys and mainly responsible for urine storage. According to the American Cancer Society, bladder cancer is the fourth most prevalent cancer among older U.S. men (over 55 years of age), with approximately 1 in 27 males developing bladder cancer during their lifetime. Bladder cancer is less prevalent in female patients (affecting roughly 1 in 89).
Luckily, research indicates that more than 50% of bladder cancers are detected in the early stages, when the cancerous cells are non-invasive (situ cancers) still confined to the inner wall of the bladder before cancers have invaded deeper tissues or spread (metastasized) to nearby organs, tissues, or lymph nodes. The highest risk factors for bladder cancer include:
- Tobacco smokers are 3 times more likely to develop bladder cancer vs. non-smokers
- Exposure to industrial chemicals (i.e., aromatic amines and arsenic)
- A family history of bladder cancer
- Prior radiation or chemotherapy
- Chronic bladder infections
- Genetic bladder defects at birth
- Medications (i.e., Actos or pioglitazone and aristolochic acid)
- Race and gender (i.e., caucasian males are at highest risk)
Bladder cancer develops in the following forms:
1. Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for approximately 4% of all bladder cancer cases. It tends to develop in flat masses of cells within the lining of the bladder due to chronic and long-term irritation and inflammation of the bladder.
2. Adenocarcinoma
Roughly 2% of all bladder cancers are adenocarcinomas, which develop in the glandular cells (or mucus and fluid producing cells) of the bladder.
3. Urothelial carcinoma
Most bladder cancers are urothelial carcinomas, or transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). In fact, this most prevalent form of bladder cancer makes up 90% of all bladder cancer cases. Urothelial carcinomas develop within the transitional cells of innermost layer of the bladder wall ( or the urothelium).
