Bladder Cancer
Symptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More

Learn About Bladder Cancer

What is the definition of Bladder Cancer?
Bladder cancer is a malignancy of the organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine and is the sixth most common cancer in the U.S. Bladder cancer frequently starts in the cells lining the bladder (urothelial cells); however, it can also occur in other types of bladder cells as well as include more than one type of cell. Three types of bladder cancer that begin in the cells lining the bladder (urothelial cells) are 1) urothelial carcinoma, which is also called transitional cell carcinoma; 2) squamous cell carcinoma; and 3) adenocarcinoma. Urothelial carcinoma (Transitional cell carcinoma) – Urothelial carcinoma, which is the most common type of bladder cancer in the U.S., is found in the cells lining the inside of the bladder (urothelial), which expand when the bladder is full and contract when it is empty. Squamous cell carcinoma – Squamous cell carcinoma can occur from chronic bladder irritation, such as frequent bladder infections or long-term catheterization. While rare in the U.S., this cancer is common in other countries where parasite infections called schistosomiasis cause frequent bladder infections. Adenocarcinoma – Adenocarcinoma occurs in the glands of the bladder that secrete mucus and is rare in the U.S. Bladder cancer is further classified as either non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) or muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) – Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer is the most common type of bladder cancer, and usually does not spread (metastasize); however, it frequently recurs after treatment. Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) – Muscle-invasive bladder cancer spreads to the muscle wall of the bladder and can be life-threatening. Bladder cancer is also categorized by the following stages: Stage 0 (0a and Ois) – Non-invasive papillary carcinoma or carcinoma in situ, with abnormal cells that may become cancerous and spread (metastasize). Stage I – Cancer has spread to the connective beyond the inner lining of the bladder (urothelial cells). Stage II – Cancer has spread to the muscle layers of the bladder. Stage III (IIIA and IIIB) – Cancer has spread to the fat outside the bladder, and possibly the reproductive organs, such as uterus, vagina, prostate, or seminal vesicles; or cancer has spread to one pelvic lymph node. Stage IV (IVA an IVB) – Cancer has spread from bladder to the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) or pelvis; or cancer has spread to lymph nodes above common iliac arteries. Cancer has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body, such as liver, lung, and bone. Bladder cancers are further categorized based on the appearance of cells, as either a low-grade bladder tumor or high-grade bladder tumor. Low-grade bladder tumor – Low-grade bladder tumor has cells that look more like normal cells, grows slowly, and is usually non-invasive (does not spread). High-grade bladder tumor – High-grade bladder tumor has cells that look abnormal, is more aggressive, and is usually invasive (spreads). The stage and grade of bladder cancer determines its treatment and outcome (prognosis).
What are the alternative names for Bladder Cancer?
Alternative names for bladder cancer include bladder tumor, bladder neoplasm, transitional cell carcinoma, urinary carcinoma, urothelial carcinoma, and urothelial bladder cancer.
What are the different types of Bladder Cancer?
What are the causes of Bladder Cancer?
Bladder cancer occurs when genetic (somatic) mutations or chromosome 9 deletions occur that are acquired during a person’s lifetime (are not inherited) and that damage DNA in bladder cells, leading to abnormal cells that form a tumor. Several risk factors can also increase the chances of developing bladder cancer, such as chronic irritation of the bladder from recurrent bladder infections or long-term catherization, smoking, exposure to radiation or industrial chemicals such as arsenic, dyes, leather, rubber,  paint, and petroleum in the workplace, drinking water that has been treated with chlorine, and parasite infections (schistosomiasis). Other risk factors that increase chances of developing bladder cancer include being white, male, older than 40, previous cancer treatment, or having a family history of bladder cancer or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch Syndrome).
What are the symptoms of Bladder Cancer?
While many individuals with bladder cancer have no symptoms, symptoms may include frequent urination, difficult urination, painful urination, pelvic pain, back pain, and blood in the urine (hematuria).
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What are the current treatments for Bladder Cancer?
Treatments for bladder cancer depend on the type, stage, and grade of the cancer, in addition to a patient’s overall health and may include surgery, transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), cystectomy (partial or complete bladder removal), bladder reconstruction, continental urinary reservoir (new pouch for holding urine), intravesical (in the bladder) chemotherapy, systemic (whole body) chemotherapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy (chemoradiation), bladder preservation trimodal therapy, and immunotherapy (biological therapy or biologics). Surgery – Surgery for bladder cancer can include surgery to remove the bladder tumor and any surrounding cancerous tissue, transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), which is where the surgeon inserts a cautery or laser device through the urethra into the bladder to burn out the cancer, cystectomy, which involves either partial or full removal (radical cystectomy) of the bladder, and bladder reconstruction, which creates a new way for urine to be excreted, such as the creation of a continental urinary reservoir (new pouch for holding urine) through the use of a small portion of the small intestine. Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy for bladder cancer can be administered in different ways, such as intravesical chemotherapy (used for high-grade or recurrent bladder cancers), which is when cancer drugs are administered directly into the bladder, systemic (whole body) chemotherapy, which is used when the cancer cannot be surgically removed (unresectable) and is administered via a pill or intravenously (IV), or chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy (chemoradiation). Chemotherapy may be used before surgery to reduce the tumor size, or after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.  Radiation Therapy – Radiation therapy uses directed, high-energy X-rays or protons or other types of radiation to kill bladder cancer cells. Trimodality Therapy (Bladder preservation)– Trimodality therapy uses a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) in an effort to preserve as much of the bladder as possible. Immunotherapy (Biological therapy or biologics) – Immunotherapy is when the body’s immune system is used to fight cancer cells and is administered either directly into the bladder (intravesical) or systemically through pills or an IV (intravenously).  Common immunotherapy drugs administered for bladder cancer are Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), which is a tuberculosis vaccine, interferon (interferon alfa-2b ), and atexolizumab (Tecentriq), which is used for locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer that was unresponsive to chemotherapy. Some patients may also want to consider participating in clinical trials for bladder cancer to gain access to new, experimental treatments.
Who are the top Bladder Cancer Local Doctors?
Elite in Bladder Cancer
Oncology | Surgical Oncology | Urology
Elite in Bladder Cancer
Oncology | Surgical Oncology | Urology

Baylor Medicine At McNair - Urology

7200 Cambridge St., 10th Floor, Suite 10 B, 
Houston, TX 
Languages Spoken:
English
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Seth P. Lerner, MD, is Professor of Urology and holds the Beth and Dave Swalm Chair in Urologic Oncology, in the Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine. He is Director of Urologic Oncology and the Multidisciplinary Bladder Cancer Program and Faculty Group Practice Medical Director for the Urology Clinic. He earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine, completed a surgical internship at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle, and returned to Baylor for his residency training. He completed a two-year fellowship at the University of Southern California in urologic oncology and reconstructive surgery under Peter Jones and Don Skinner before returning to join the full-time Baylor faculty in 1992. His clinical practice, education, and research activities are devoted to urologic oncology and particularly lower and upper tract urothelial cancer. Dr. Lerner is author of more than 160 peer-reviewed articles, and co-editor of a comprehensive Textbook of Bladder Cancer. Dr. Lerner is an active member of the prestigious American Association of Genitourinary surgeons and is listed routinely among America's Top Doctors and Best Doctors in America. He established and directs the multi-disciplinary Bladder Cancer Research Program at Baylor, and his research interests include use of selective estrogen receptor modulators for treatment of bladder cancer, gene therapy, targeted molecular therapeutics, and outcomes of radical cystectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. He has 22 years of experience as a clinical investigator for both NCI and industry funded clinical trials. He is the PI of the ongoing SWOG NCI Phase III trial comparing extended vs. standard pelvic lymphadenectomy at time of radical cystectomy for muscle invasive bladder cancer. He is active in the leadership of several national bladder cancer research enterprises including chair of the Local Bladder Cancer committee of SWOG, co-chair of the NCI's Bladder Cancer Task Force and the Analysis Working Group of The Cancer Genome Atlas Project for muscle invasive bladder cancer. He is very active in the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) as a member of the Board of Directors, past chair of the Bladder Cancer Think Tank and co-chair of the management committee of the Bladder Cancer Research Network. Dr. Lerner is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bladder Cancer. He is also highly rated in 12 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Bladder Cancer, Urothelial Cancer, Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer, Cystectomy, and Lymphadenectomy. Dr. Lerner is currently accepting new patients.

Elite in Bladder Cancer
Oncology | Urology
Elite in Bladder Cancer
Oncology | Urology

Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center

601 North Caroline Street, Floor 4, Floor 4, 
Baltimore, MD 
Languages Spoken:
English
Offers Telehealth

Dr. Max Kates is the R. Christian B. Evensen Professor and an associate professor of urology and oncology at the Brady Urological Institute at Johns Hopkins. He also directs the Division of Urologic Oncology for the Brady Urological Institute. Dr. Kates completed his undergraduate degree at Wesleyan University in Connecticut before pursuing his medical degree at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. He then went on to train at Johns Hopkins for his urologic residency and Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) fellowship. Dr. Kates has expertise in all areas of urologic oncology, with a particular emphasis on bladder and prostate cancer. With training in open, endoscopic, and robotic surgical approaches, Dr. Kates’ surgical philosophy is to assess the unique needs of each patient, and develop the right treatment plan for their malignancy. He is very hands on in his approach in the clinic and the operating room, and believes open communication with the patient, the patient’s family, and referring providers is key to ensuring a speedy recovery. As the clinical director of the bladder cancer multidisciplinary clinic, Dr. Kates works with the team at the Johns Hopkins Greenberg Bladder Cancer Institute to deliver a personalized approach to bladder cancer utilizing cutting edge precision medicine approaches. Dr. Kates’ research interests involve novel treatments for cancers of the urinary tract. Dr. Kates has authored more than 135 journal articles in the fields of bladder, prostate, and kidney cancer. He currently has a provisional patent for a novel intravesical chemotherapy developed with nano-engineer collaborators. Additionally, Dr. Kates has made important discoveries into the mechanism of action of intravesical BCG, the most common treatment for bladder cancer. He is the principal investigator on multiple trials, and is currently leading EA8212 BRIDGE, which is a randomized trial open in over 150 centers in the United States comparing BCG to GemDoce chemotherapy for early stage bladder cancer. To inquire about an appointment or make a referral, Dr. Kates can be contacted by phone (410) 614-0009. Dr. Kates is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bladder Cancer. He is also highly rated in 14 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Bladder Cancer, Urothelial Cancer, Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer, Cystectomy, and Nephrectomy. Dr. Kates is board certified in American Board Of Urology.

 
 
 
 
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Elite in Bladder Cancer
Elite in Bladder Cancer
675 N St Clair St Ste 20-150, Galter Pavilion, 
Chicago, IL 
Experience:
21+ years
Languages Spoken:
English
Offers Telehealth

Joshua Meeks is an Oncologist practicing medicine in Chicago, Illinois. He has been practicing medicine for over 21 years. Dr. Meeks is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bladder Cancer. He is also highly rated in 20 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Bladder Cancer, Urothelial Cancer, Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer, Orchiectomy, and Reconstructive Urology Surgery. Dr. Meeks is board certified in American Board Of Urology - Urology (Certified).

What are the support groups for Bladder Cancer?
There are a variety of support groups for bladder cancer: American Bladder Cancer Society - https://bladdercancersupport.org/ Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network - https://bcan.org/in-person-support-group/ CancerCare - https://www.cancercare.org/diagnosis/bladder_cancer Cancer Support Community - https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/bladder-cancer
What is the outlook (prognosis) for Bladder Cancer?
If you experience any symptoms such as frequent urination, difficult urination, painful urination, pelvic pain, back pain, or blood in the urine (hematuria), contact your doctor as soon as possible. If abnormal bladder cancer cells are found after testing, you will be referred to specialists in urinary surgery and cancer treatment called urologists and oncologists.
What are the possible complications of Bladder Cancer?
Possible complications of bladder cancer include urinary incontinence (leaking of urine), swelling in the ureters (hydronephrosis), ureteral narrowing (stricture), sexual problems (erectile dysfunction or narrowing of the vagina), and anemia.  Some patients may have to wear a urostomy bag, either temporarily or permanently, after bladder cancer surgery, which is emptied a few times a day. Cancer treatment-related complications may also occur, such as weakness and fatigue, skin and nail changes, hair loss, and others, for which treatment is an essential part of cancer care.
When should I contact a medical professional for Bladder Cancer?
If you experience any symptoms such as frequent urination, difficult urination, painful urination, pelvic pain, back pain, or blood in the urine (hematuria), contact your doctor as soon as possible. If abnormal bladder cancer cells are found after testing, you will be referred to specialists in urinary surgery and cancer treatment called urologists and oncologists.
How do I prevent Bladder Cancer?
While there is no known way to prevent bladder cancer, the risk of developing this cancer can be reduced by not smoking, drinking adequate amounts of water each day, avoiding exposure to industrial chemicals in the workplace, and regularly eating a variety of fruit and vegetables. Any bladder infection should be treated as soon as possible, as any lingering or frequent bladder infections can increase the risk of developing bladder cancer. If you have a family history of bladder cancer or a family history of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch Syndrome), it is important to speak with your doctor about being screened for bladder cancer. Bladder cancer that is diagnosed and treated in the early stages has a good chance of being cured.
What are the latest Bladder Cancer Clinical Trials?
A Phase II Study of Ipilimumab, Cabozantinib, and Nivolumab in Rare Genitourinary Cancers (ICONIC)

Summary: This phase II trial studies how well cabozantinib works in combination with nivolumab and ipilimumab in treating patients with rare genitourinary (GU) tumors that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body. Cabozantinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as ...

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An Open-label, Single-Arm, Phase 2 Study to Evaluate Enfortumab Vedotin Plus Pembrolizumab for Bladder Preservation in Participants With Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer (EV-209)

Summary: People with a type of bladder cancer called muscle-invasive bladder cancer have cancer that has spread into the muscle wall of the bladder. The standard treatment is to have chemotherapy, followed by surgery to completely remove the bladder. This has a significant impact on people with long-term life-altering changes. There are also limited options for people who cannot have chemotherapy or who do...