Bladder cancer rates are slowly decreasing, but it remains one of the more common types of cancer experienced worldwide. As of 2025, it is the 10th leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with patients assigned male at birth (AMAB) more commonly affected than those assigned female at birth (AFAB). This article provides an overview of the disease with an emphasis on treatment and management techniques, including newer options such as immunotherapy.
Bladder cancer occurs when cells within the bladder grow and spread out of control, which can affect organ function and other aspects of health.
The bladder is part of the urinary tract, which also includes the kidneys, ureters and urethra. The kidneys filter waste and other substances from the blood, forming urine that moves through the ureters into the bladder and exits the body through the urethra. Bladder cancer may affect this process, even spreading to distant areas of the body in advanced cases.
Two important categories of bladder cancer include non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, which has not reached the muscle wall of the bladder, and muscle-invasive bladder cancer, which has. The majority of bladder cancer cases are non-muscle-invasive (also called superficial bladder cancer), which tends to be easier to treat. Muscle-invasive cases indicate that the cancer has spread beyond the bladder lining and possibly into other areas of the body.
Particular types of bladder cancer to be aware of include:
Abdominal CT scan of the urinary system.
There are multiple methods involved in diagnosing bladder cancer, many of which are used in combination. The most common diagnostic methods include:
Advanced medical imaging, such as PET scans, CT scans and MRIs can help doctors stage the progression of bladder cancer. Staging shows how much the cancer has spread and where it has spread to. It is an important factor in determining which treatment methods are chosen and what next steps are taken.
Cancer staging of any kind can be highly detailed and technical to understand. Here is a link for an in-depth look at bladder cancer staging from the American Cancer Society. In the meantime, a simplified overview of bladder cancer stages includes:
Bladder cancer grading is a vital factor in determining treatment plans. The grade reflects how quickly the cancer is spreading, how aggressive it appears to be and how likely it is to reoccur.
The grade is determined through a pathology report of a bladder tissue sample. A cystoscopy, TURBT or other biopsy method is used to collect the sample, which is then analyzed in a laboratory. If the cancer cells look similar to normal cells, they are classified as low-grade. This means they are less likely to grow quickly or act aggressively. High-grade bladder cancer means the cells look very different from normal cells, which suggests they grow and spread faster and may require more intensive treatment.
There are multiple methods for treating bladder cancer, which may vary depending on the stage and grade of the cancer as well as the patient’s overall health. Some treatments may be used together as part of a comprehensive approach, such as surgery followed by radiation therapy. Specific treatment plans will vary and are typically guided by personalized recommendations from a medical provider.
There are several types of bladder surgery that may be performed, depending on how aggressive the cancer is and other individual factors. Here is a brief overview of common bladder cancer surgeries:
Chemotherapy uses special drugs to shrink or destroy cancer cells. In some cases, it may be given before surgery to help reduce the size of the tumor and make it easier to remove. However, chemotherapy can also be used after surgery if needed, especially if the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells and prevent them from spreading. While there are different types, most work in a similar way by carefully targeting cancerous areas. Radiation may be used in some early-stage bladder cancer cases as an alternative to cystectomy or to help treat advanced disease. It is often combined with chemotherapy.
Some cancers grow and mutate due to specific changes in cellular processes or substances that help drive their development. Because there are many possible variations, identifying the genetic traits of a tumor is vital to choosing the correct targeted therapy treatment.
One example involves a protein called FGFR, which cancer cells may use to grow and spread if it becomes mutated. Targeted therapy would focus on this specific protein, aiming to block the cancer cells from using it to grow.
Immunotherapy is a newer and still-developing treatment for various cancers. It involves the use of special medications to boost the patient’s own immune system, allowing it to better recognize and fight cancer cells.
Your imaging results are interpreted by a radiologist—an expert in medical imaging—who carefully reviews your scans and provides a detailed report of any findings. This report is then sent to your referring physician, who, with a deeper understanding of your medical history and past exams, can offer further insights and recommendations on next steps in a follow-up appointment.
Turnaround times for imaging results can vary widely depending on the facility and your doctor’s availability. Often, patients wait a week or more and receive their results during a follow-up appointment. With PocketHealth, your imaging results are securely accessible as soon as they’re approved for release by the hospital or imaging clinic. This allows you the opportunity to review your results and prepare questions ahead of your follow-up visit.
To help you understand your bladder imaging results, PocketHealth provides clear definitions and illustrations for complex medical terms—plus an in-depth explanation of your full imaging report. This is paired with highlights of key anatomy in your imaging to help you better comprehend what you’re looking at.
Here are some commonly asked questions regarding bladder cancer.
While bladder cancer can have many causes, one of the strongest risk factors is a history of smoking tobacco. It’s estimated that smoking contributes to about 50% of bladder tumors. Tobacco contains thousands of chemicals, many of which are known carcinogens that damage genes and cells. This can lead to tumor formation, as seen with lung cancer, which has a well-established link to smoking.
In the case of bladder cancer, harmful substances from tobacco are absorbed into the bloodstream, filtered through the kidneys and collected in the urine. Because urine remains in the bladder for extended periods, the bladder lining is exposed to these carcinogens for hours at a time, increasing the risk of cancer in this area. Quitting tobacco can decrease the risk of developing bladder cancer or having it recur.
How quickly bladder cancer spreads depends on factors such as the type of cancer, its stage and its grade at the time of diagnosis. Early-stage bladder cancer is usually easier to treat and often has not progressed to more aggressive forms. In addition, most bladder cancers tend to grow slowly, which can lead to better outcomes when they are caught early.
Bladder cancer can cause various urinary tract symptoms, though it is common for early stages of the disease to show no symptoms at all. Some possible physical signs of the disease include:
It is important to remember that many of these symptoms may have benign causes and do not necessarily mean you have bladder cancer. In fact, common conditions such as kidney stones and urinary tract infections share many of the same physical signs. Discussing any concerns with your physician can help you receive a more accurate and personalized diagnosis.
Certain lifestyle choices may help manage bladder cancer risk factors. According to the American Cancer Society, possible ways to reduce risk include:
Although these habits cannot guarantee full protection from bladder cancer, they may help reduce your overall risk. It’s a good idea to speak with your doctor about personalized recommendations and other potential preventive strategies.
The most common method to treat bladder cancer is surgery. The type of surgery performed for this primary treatment may vary depending on the likelihood of cancer recurrence, lymph node involvement, the aggressiveness of the disease and whether it is classified as metastatic bladder cancer. The more extensive the spread of the disease, the more likely it is that methods such as bladder removal surgery or removal of other affected tissues will be used. Bladder cancer treated with surgical approaches is usually followed by secondary methods, such as chemotherapy and/or radiation.
There are a variety of methods used to manage and treat cancer, which may vary depending on the type, grade, spread and other characteristics of the disease. Common management approaches include:
Cure rates vary depending on factors including the type of bladder cancer, whether it is muscle-invasive and the stage of the disease. Earlier stages tend to have higher cure rates when the cancer hasn’t spread outside the lining of the bladder. However, there is a lot of variation depending on factors such as the individual’s underlying health, when the disease was detected and how aggressively it is spreading. It’s important to address questions about outlook and diagnostic factors with your doctor, who will have a more precise understanding of your individual case.
Prognosis greatly depends on the type, stage, grade and other factors, such as whether it is recurrent bladder cancer. If the cancer is only found within the tissues lining the inside of the bladder, the 5-year survival rate can be as high as 97%, according to the National Cancer Institute. As cancer cells spread and become muscle-invasive, this figure may decrease, sometimes significantly, if the cancer metastasizes.
When viewing prognosis and survival rates, it is important to remember that these figures are based on a wide range of patients who have different cases, treatments and health factors. These statistics do not take into account individual medical histories and approaches unique to each case. Also, newer treatments and survival data are often not yet reflected.
A bladder cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that you are not alone. Reaching out to support groups or others who have gone through similar experiences can offer encouragement and practical advice. Your doctor may also be able to connect you with local resources to help guide you through treatment and recovery. In the meantime, here are some online resources you may find helpful:
PocketHealth makes it simple to keep track of your medical imaging results. All of your images and reports are permanently available in one secure location and can be accessed online—anytime, anywhere. Reports can also be easily shared with other members of your care team, if needed. When used in conjunction with your medical provider’s professional advice, it is a powerful tool to better understand your imaging results.
PocketHealth also provides personalized health insights based on the findings in your report to help you stay on top of any next steps. This includes clearly surfacing any follow-up actions found in your report and generating customized questions to ask your doctor so you can make the most of your follow-up appointment.
While managing a bladder cancer diagnosis may feel overwhelming, better understanding your results and working closely with your healthcare team can give you the best chance of managing your condition and protecting your health.
Published: August 20, 2025
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