Bladder Cancer Symptoms

Bladder cancer is often caused by smoking and arises from the multiplying of abnormal cells within the epithelial lining (urothelium) of the urinary bladder.  Bladder cancer is sometimes detected early via urine tests and/or cystoscopy.  Screening is recommended for people at high risk of bladder cancer due to factors such as a recent battle with the cancer, exposure to certain chemicals, or bladder defects.  The most common type of bladder cancer is known as transitional cell carcinoma.

Bladder cancer symptoms include:

- Blood in urine
- Increased frequency of urination
- Pain or burning sensations during urination
- Lower back pain
- Inability to urinate

Symptoms of bladder cancer are often similar to more common conditions such as infections, benign tumors, and bladder/kidney stones.  Regardless, early detection is crucial to the prognosis of bladder cancer, so if you’ve experienced any of the symptoms above, it’s recommended to consult a physician.