What should you know about transitional cell bladder cancer?

The bladder lining contains urothelial cells that stretch as urine collects. Cancer arising from these cells can remain on the inner surface or grow into deeper bladder layers. Clinicians assess the tumour’s grade, depth and whether it has reached nearby tissues or distant organs.

Blood in the urine, changes in urination or difficulty passing urine can occur, but these symptoms also have non-cancer causes. A diagnosis requires medical assessment rather than symptom interpretation alone. A [cystoscopy](/treatments/diagnostics-and-staging/cystoscopy/) allows the bladder lining to be viewed, and a tissue sample may establish the diagnosis.

Arrange an appointment with a clinician if you notice persistent urinary changes or blood in the urine. Bring a list of medicines and describe when symptoms began. Testing may include urine tests, imaging, cystoscopy and sampling of abnormal tissue.

Treatment is selected according to tumour features and your health. Options can include removal through the urinary passage, medicine placed inside the bladder, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or bladder removal surgery. Follow-up is often needed because new abnormal areas can appear over time.

Seek prompt medical advice for visible blood in the urine, repeated urinary symptoms or difficulty passing urine. Get urgent help if you cannot pass urine, have severe lower abdominal pain, feel faint or develop fever with urinary symptoms. A blocked urinary passage or infection can need immediate treatment.

Ask where the tumour is located, whether it has entered the bladder muscle, what the biopsy shows, whether scans are needed, and what each treatment aims to achieve. Ask about bladder-preserving choices, side effects, follow-up cystoscopies and how treatment may affect urination or sexual health.