There is no such thing as routine bladder cancer. Our experts at the OSUCCC – James approach your bladder cancer with individual, customized treatment.
What is bladder cancer?
Bladder cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in the bladder, often forming a mass of cells called a tumor.
The bladder is a small, balloon-shaped organ that holds urine until it can be passed from the body. It’s located in the lower part of the abdomen; the walls of the bladder are muscular, allowing it to expand and retract. The bladder is part of the urinary tract, which also includes other organs such as kidneys, ureters and the urethra.
Types of bladder cancer
There are several different types of bladder cancer.
The first type is non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), which means the cancer cells are confined to the bladder’s lining. The second type is muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), which means the cancer cells invade the muscular wall to spread to other organs or lymph nodes. About half of all newly diagnosed cases are superficial or confined to the lining of the bladder.
Bladder cancer is often one of three types, named for what types of cells become cancerous.
These are:
- Urothelial carcinoma (also called transitional cell carcinoma) – Urothelial cancer starts in the lining of the urothelial cells, which are found in the bladder and other parts of the urinary tract system and some organs. These cancers can be high or low grade. Most bladder cancers are types of urothelial carcinomas. Urothelial cancers are also called transitional cell carcinomas, because the shape of the cells can change over time.
- Squamous cell carcinoma – Some bladder cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. Squamous cells also line the bladder and cancer can form there; however, this type of cancer is rare. Squamous cell carcinomas of the bladder are slow growing; these types of carcinomas account for less than 3% of all bladder cancer diagnoses.
- Adenocarcinoma (glandular cells) – Adenocarcinoma of the bladder is a type of cancer that originates in glandular cells. Only about 1% of all bladder cancers are adenocarcinomas.
Toward a Cancer-Free World Blog
OSUCCC – James doctors are educating the public about bladder cancer symptoms and prevention while working to improve treatments through cutting-edge research.
Read more about bladder cancer
At the OSUCCC – James, our specialists are world-renowned cancer experts who focus solely on bladder cancer and who reach across medical disciplines (urologists, oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, pharmacists and more) to design the very best treatment plan and therapies to target your specific cancer.
In fact, we offer all newly diagnosed bladder cancer patients an on-site, thorough evaluation and review of treatment options so that you and the experts can decide on the best personalized approach.
And by offering access to the country’s most advanced clinical bladder cancer trials right here at the OSUCCC – James, you know that additional options, when needed, are often available for your treatment and care.
Related resources
Bladder Cancer Symptoms and Causes
Bladder Cancer Screening and Diagnosis
Bladder Cancer Treatment
Bladder Cancer Treatment Team