Infographic: Bladder Cancer

The Key to Beating Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is the sixth most common form of cancer.

  • 79,000 new cases this year in the U.S.
  • 3x more common in men than women
  • 90% of those diagnosed are over 55 years old
  • 2x more common in Caucasians than African Americans

It's highly treatable in early stages.

Stage at detection

Ta

Grows in the inner layer of the bladder

 Papillary tumor

Tis

Grows along the lining of the bladder

 Flat tumor

T1

Limited to bladder lining and connective tissue

 Bladder lining

T2

In the bladder muscle

 Bladder muscle

T3

Through the bladder muscle and into the fatty tissue

 Fatty tissue

T4

Has spread to other organs

 Peritoneum

Early detection dramatically increases survival rates.

Watch for symptoms. See your doctor if you have:

  • Blood in urine
  • Frequent and/or painful urination
  • Back and pelvic pain

Ask your doctor about screening if you are high risk:

  • Male
  • Age 55+
  • Smoker

Treatment is available at any stage.

  • Minimally invasive surgery: Removes small tumors from the lining of the bladder, or a small portion of the bladder (partial cystectomy).
  • Biological therapy: Applies a biological drug to the bladder to get the immune system to fight the cancer.
  • Chemotherapy: Uses drugs to fight the cancer.
  • Radiation therapy: Uses high energy beams to destroy the cancer cells.
  • Bladder removal (radical cystectomy): Surgically removes the entire bladder and surrounding lymph nodes.
  • Surgically created urinary tract replacement: The surgeon may use part of the intestine to create a new urinary conduit or fashion a new bladder.

Sources: MayoClinic.org; Cancer.org; NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov.

IFG-20441506