Bladder cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the cells of the bladder. The bladder is a hollow muscular organ located in the lower abdomen that holds urine.

Bladder cancer generally begins in the urothelial cells that line the inside of your bladder. These cells are also found in your kidneys and the ureters that connect the kidneys to the bladder. Urothelial cancer can also happen in the kidneys and ureters, however, it's more common in the bladder.

The majority of bladder cancer cases are discovered in their early stages, when they are quite curable. However, even early-stage bladder tumors might recur following a curative regimen. Because of this, bladder cancer patients frequently require follow-up exams for years following treatment to check for bladder cancer that returns

Types of bladder cancer

Urothelial carcinoma

Urothelial carcinoma also referred to as transitional cell carcinoma, begins in the cells that line the inside of the bladder. Urothelial cells enhance when your bladder is full and shrink when your bladder is empty. The lining of the ureters and the urethra is made up of the same cells, and cancer can develop there as well.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Chronic bladder irritation, such as that caused by an infection or by long-term use of a urinary catheter, is linked to squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell bladder cancer is uncommon. It occurs more frequently in regions of the world where schistosomiasis, a particular parasitic infection, is a frequent cause of bladder infections.

Adenocarcinoma

The cells that make up the bladder's mucus-secreting glands are where adenocarcinoma develops. Bladder adenocarcinoma is quite uncommon.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will analyze your urine to determine if an infection could be a cause of your issue or not. A cystoscopy is the main procedure to identify or diagnose bladder cancer. In this process, a cystoscope is inserted into your bladder from the urethra to get a clear view of the bladder which is later examined under a microscope to detect the signs of cancer. A chest X-ray is also required to make sure if the cancer is spread to the lungs or not.

Treatment

There are four types of treatment options for people suffering with bladder cancer, these are: ● Surgery ● Chemotherapy ● Intravesical chemotherapy for superficial cancers ● Radiation therapy