Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is cancer of the lining of the bladder. Most early cases stay on the surface (non-muscle-invasive) and are highly treatable with local procedures; deeper or spread cancer needs more involved treatment.

Commonest sign

Blood in urine (visible or microscopic) — especially painless — always deserves evaluation. Don't assume it's "just a UTI" if it keeps coming back or isn't fully explained.

Other symptoms

• Frequent urination, urgency, burning not explained by infection.
• Pelvic or back pain (late).
• Unexplained weight loss, fatigue (advanced).

Risk factors

• Smoking — the single biggest risk factor.
• Occupational chemicals — aromatic amines (dye, rubber, leather, textile industries).
• Chronic bladder irritation — long-standing infection, bladder stones, catheters.
• Schistosomiasis — rare in India, common in parts of Africa/Middle East.
• Previous pelvic radiation, some chemotherapy drugs.
• Age, male sex, family history.

Diagnosis

• Urine tests, urine cytology.
• Cystoscopy — direct look with a camera; key test.
• Imaging — CT urogram, MRI.
• Biopsy (TURBT) — removes visible tumour and stages it.

Treatment

• Non-muscle-invasive — repeat TURBTs with intravesical BCG or chemotherapy instillations.
• Muscle-invasive — radical cystectomy (sometimes with neoadjuvant chemotherapy), or chemo-radiation bladder-preserving approach in selected cases.
• Metastatic — chemotherapy, immunotherapy, newer targeted treatments; growing options.
• Lifelong surveillance after treatment — bladder cancer is prone to recur.

The single most useful action after diagnosis (or to prevent it in the first place) is stopping tobacco. Smoking cessation support is free through government services and the national helpline 1800-11-2356.