Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is a malignant growth that begins in the urinary bladder, most often in the urothelial lining. Its behavior and treatment depend on tumor type, depth of invasion, and spread.

Urothelial carcinoma: A cancer arising from urothelial cells, which line the urinary tract and most of the bladder. It accounts for most bladder cancers and begins in the bladder’s inner lining.
Transurethral resection of bladder tumor: An endoscopic operation that removes visible bladder tumors through the urethra. It is used to diagnose and remove many tumors confined to the bladder lining.
Tobacco smoking: The inhalation of smoke from burning tobacco products. Smoking is the leading preventable risk factor for bladder cancer.
Upper tract urothelial carcinoma: Urothelial cancer arising in the renal pelvis or ureter rather than the bladder. It shares tissue origin with bladder cancer but begins higher in the urinary tract.
Carcinoma in situ: A flat, high-grade epithelial cancer confined to its tissue of origin. This aggressive, non-muscle-invasive form can spread across the bladder lining.
Intravesical therapy: Treatment delivered directly into the bladder through a catheter. Local drug delivery treats lining-level disease while limiting exposure elsewhere.
Occupational bladder carcinogens: Workplace chemicals that increase the risk of developing bladder cancer. Aromatic amines in some industries can cause cancers decades after exposure.
Renal cell carcinoma: A cancer arising from the kidney’s urine-producing tubules. It is a distinct kidney cancer, not a bladder tumor, despite urinary symptoms sometimes overlapping.
Muscle-invasive bladder cancer: Bladder cancer that has grown into the muscular wall of the bladder. Muscle invasion marks a major change in risk and treatment strategy.
Bacillus Calmette–Guérin: A live attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis used as a vaccine and immunotherapy. Instilled BCG is a standard bladder-preserving treatment for many high-risk non-muscle-invasive tumors.

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