Bladder cancer is characterized by an overgrowth of abnormal cells in the bladder, a hollow pelvic organ that stores urine. Unlike healthy cells, which divide and grow in an organized manner, cancer cells continue to divide in an uncontrolled fashion until they form a mass called a tumor.

The bladder is composed of many different layers of cells. Most bladder cancers begin in the inner lining layer called the urothelium. However, this disease can invade other layers of the bladder and spread to surrounding tissues and other bodily organs.

The three main types of bladder cancer include:

• Urothelial carcinoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Adenocarcinoma

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), bladder cancer is the fifth leading cancer in the United States. The exact cause of this disease remains unknown. However, risk factors such as smoking, increased age and exposure to certain chemicals may increase an individual’s likelihood of developing the disease. Common signs and symptoms of bladder cancer may include blood in the urine, changes in bladder habits and inability to urinate.

To diagnose bladder cancer, a urologist (a physician who specializes in disorders of the urinary system and male sex organs) may perform a cystoscopy. This procedure uses a thin, lighted tube called a cystoscope, which allows the physician to view the inside of the bladder. If abnormal tissue is detected, a sample is removed (biopsy) and is examined by a pathologist. Surgery alone or with other treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, is used to treat the majority of bladder cancer cases. When bladder cancer is detected and treated early, there is a very good chance for survival.