Bladder Cancer Introduction & Overview

Conditions & Diseases: Cancers

Bladder Cancer

Introduction & Overview

Bladder cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the lining of the bladder.

The bladder is a hollow, muscular, balloon-shaped organ with an elastic and muscular wall that allows it to get larger or smaller. The bladder is located in the lower part of the abdomen (pelvis), and is part of the urinary system, the body's system that filters waste products out of the blood and makes urine. The bladder’s role is to store the urine until is ready to be eliminated from the body.

The bladder internal structure is formed by four layers of tissue.

Transitional epithelium or urothelium: This is the innermost layer of tissue that forms a urine-proof membrane which stops the urine from being absorbed back into the body. The cells that form this first layer of tissue are called transitional cells or urothelial cells
Lamina propria: This is a thin layer of connective tissue located beneath transitional epithelium.
Muscularis propria: This is the layer of muscular tissue located underneath the lamina propria.
Fibrous adventitia: This is the outer layer of the bladder formed from connective tissues. This tissue layer separates the bladder from other organs within the pelvic area.

Bladder cancer begins in the cells. Normally, the cells grow and divide to produce new cells only when the body needs them. In some cases, this process is impaired and new cells form (the already existing cells divide uncontrollably) when the body does not need them, causing a tumor to form.

There are two types of tumor: benign (term that refers to a tissue growth which is not life threatening, because it does not spread damaging adjacent tissues, structures, and organs) and malignant (a term that refers to a cancerous mass or growth which can invade and destroy adjacent tissues and organs inside the body causing death).

Internationally, the incidence of bladder cancer varies substantially. The highest rate of bladder cancer is registered in Europe and North America. Bladder cancer is the fifth most common type of cancer in the U.S and UK. Each year, 60,000 new cases of bladder cancer are diagnosed and more than 12,000 die because of this cancer in U.S. Also, bladder cancer is more common among men than women. It is the 4^th most common type of cancer diagnosed in men and the 11^th most common type of cancer diagnosed in women.

Bladder cancer is successfully treated with minimal side effects if detected in early stages. When the cancer is more advanced, it is difficult to be treated and it involves extensive procedures.

Article by Alina Morrow, MS
Medical Writer
OmniMedicalSearch.com