Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the bladder, which is a hollow organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine. It is one of the most common types of cancer, affecting both men and women, though it is more prevalent in men.
Types of Bladder Cancer:
- Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC): The most common type, also known as urothelial carcinoma, starts in the cells of the inner lining of the bladder.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Less common, often associated with chronic irritation or infection.
- Adenocarcinoma: Rare, originates in the glandular cells of the bladder.
Symptoms:
- Hematuria: Blood in the urine, the most common symptom, which may be visible or microscopic.
- Frequent Urination: A need to urinate more often than usual.
- Painful Urination: Dysuria, or pain during urination.
- Pelvic Pain: Pain in the lower abdomen.
- Back Pain: Less common, may indicate advanced disease.
Staging and Grading:
- Staging: Determines the extent of cancer spread. It ranges from Stage 0 (non-invasive) to Stage IV (cancer has spread to other parts of the body).
- Grading: Indicates how much the cancer cells differ from normal cells. Low-grade cancers grow slowly, while high-grade cancers are more aggressive and likely to spread.
