The bladder is a hollow and muscular organ that collects and stores urine (wee). In the UK, over 10,000 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer each year. Bladder cancer is where a growth of abnormal tissue, known as a tumour, develops in the bladder lining. In some cases,
the tumour spreads into the near by muscles.
The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in your wee, which is usually painless.
The most useful test to diagnose bladder cancer is a cystoscopy which is when a thin tube with a light on is put into your bladder, the doctor or nurse doing the test will take a close look at your bladder and make take a biopsy (small sample of the tissue).
Treatment of bladder cancer depends of the type of cancer you have. For non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer a surgical technique called transurethral resection of a bladder tumour (TURBT) is used to remove the cancer cells, followed by a dose of chemotherapy medication directly to the bladder.
Treatment for high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, or muscle-invasive bladder cancer may involve surgically removing the bladder in an operation known as a cystectomy. As an alternative to removing the bladder, or if surgery is not suitable, a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy may be recommended. Chemotherapy may sometimes be used on its own or combined with radiotherapy.
