If you have bladder cancer, you deserve treatment that improves your health and preserves your quality of life. Together, we’ll find the right treatment for your cancer — and for you.
Your personalized care plan will include advanced treatments and services, such as nutritional advice, physical rehabilitation and pain management, to address all your needs.
Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute's bladder cancer specialists combine world-class medical expertise and compassionate care. We will create a personalized care plan that helps address your individual needs.
What is bladder cancer?
The bladder is an organ that collects and stores urine. It is located in the lower part of the abdomen (pelvis). Bladder cancer occurs when cancer cells develop in the lining of the bladder. It is most often found in men over age 70.
The survival rate for early-stage bladder cancer is 96 percent. But roughly 75 percent of bladder cancers return, requiring more treatment.
Some early signs of bladder cancer include:
- Blood in urine
- Difficulty urinating
- Frequent bladder infections
- Frequent urination
- Pain with urination
Types of Bladder Cancer
Most bladder cancers form in the bladder’s inner lining, known as the urothelium. This type of cancer is called urothelial carcinoma or urothelial carcinoma.
Other types of bladder cancer are small cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. These less common cancer types are usually invasive, which means they have spread into deeper layers of the bladder walls. They can also be aggressive and fast-growing. They are sometimes a result of chronic bladder irritation and inflammation.
Bladder Cancer Risk Factors
The biggest risk factor for bladder cancer is tobacco use. White people and older men also have a higher risk of developing bladder cancer.
Other risk factors include:
- Working with organic chemicals, such as those used in the textile, dye, paint, leather, printing or rubber industries
- Being over the age of 70
- Having a history of bladder irritation and infections
- Having a personal or family history of bladder or urothelial cancer
- Having certain genetic conditions, such as Lynch syndrome
- Receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment
- Using certain diabetes medicines, such as pioglitazone
Bladder Cancer Prevention
There is no guaranteed way to prevent cancer. However, you can reduce your risk for bladder cancer by:
- Not using tobacco.
- Limiting your exposure to certain organic chemicals in the workplace, especially if you work in industries that use these chemicals to produce leather, printing materials, dyes, rubber, textiles and paint.
- Eating a healthy diet, which includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy. Talk with your doctor or a nutritionist about what you should include in a healthy diet.
- Drinking plenty of water.
