Bladder is one of the main organs of the body that collects urine and eventually releases it through the uretha. Bladder cancer is one of the common cancer that records unusual growth of the bladder cells. Bladder Cancer can be further classified into two – non invasive and invasive, with the former having much better treatment outcomes than the latter. The initial treatment for bladder cancer is transurethral resection but however the treatment largely depends upon the stage of bladder cancer ie the extent to which cancer is spread in the bladder organ. Studies show that men have a higher risk of getting bladder cancer than women.

Any change in the body or your health condition may require medical care to signal and point out the problems. People with bladder cancer may experience the following symptoms or signs:

• Blood in the Urine – Blood in pee is the most common symptom of bladder cancer. 4 out of 5 people with bladder cancer (80%) have some blood in their urine. You may actually see the blood. It usually looks bright red but, rarely, may be dark brown. Or it might be there in such small amounts that you can’t see it. Even if it cannot be seen, a urine test will show if blood is present. Doctors call blood in pee ‘haematuria’ (pronounced heem-at-you-ree-ah). Blood may be present one day and absent the next, with the urine remaining clear for weeks or months. If a person has bladder cancer, blood eventually reappears. Usually, the early stages of bladder cancer cause bleeding but little or no pain or other symptoms.

• Bladder Symptoms – There might be some unusual changes in the bladder habit that irritates you. Some of the include pain or burning during urination, frequent urination, feeling the need to urinate many times throughout the night, feeling the need to urinate but not being able to pass urine. These symptoms are also more likely to be caused by a benign condition such as infection, bladder stones, an overactive bladder, or an enlarged prostate (in men). Still, it is important to have them checked by a doctor so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed.

• Other Symptoms – Bladder cancers that have grown large enough or have spread to other parts of the body can sometimes cause other symptoms, such as:

1. Lower Back Pain
2. Changes in appetite
3. Bone Pain
4. Swelling in the feet
5. Unintentional weight loss

The earlier a cancer is picked up, the easier it is to treat it and the more likely the treatment is to be successful. So it is important that you go to consult the doctor as soon as possible if you notice worrying symptoms.