Types of bladder cancer

Urothelial carcinoma starts in the cells lining the bladder and is the type clinicians see most often. Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma begin in different bladder cells and are less common. A separate description is non-muscle-invasive or muscle-invasive disease: this refers to whether the tumour has reached the bladder muscle, not to a different cell type.

A cystoscopy lets a specialist inspect the bladder and may be followed by tissue sampling. The pathology report identifies the cell type, grade and depth of growth. These details help the team discuss the condition and treatment options.

Take the pathology report to the appointment and ask which cell type, grade and stage were found. Treatment may include removal through the bladder, medicine placed inside the bladder, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or bladder removal surgery. The choice depends on the tumour’s depth, number and position, previous treatment and your general health.

Arrange medical assessment for blood in the urine, repeated urinary symptoms or difficulty passing urine. Seek urgent help if you cannot pass urine, have severe lower abdominal pain, or feel faint with heavy bleeding. These symptoms can have causes other than cancer, but they still need prompt attention.

Which cell type and grade are in my report? Has the tumour reached the muscle or spread beyond the bladder? Do I need further cystoscopy or scans? What are the aims and trade-offs of each treatment option?