Early Detection is Key

Cancer of the bladder is the fourth most common cancer among men and is in the top 10 most common cancers among women in the United States. But, it doesn’t have to be scary. When caught early, it is highly treatable. Patients who are diagnosed early and get treatment can even be cancer-free following therapy.

What are the Symptoms?

In most cases, the first symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine (hematuria). However, other symptoms can include:

  • Frequent urgency to urinate
  • Pain or burning during urination
  • Pain in the lower part of abdomen, pelvis or back

If you experience any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will perform a complete physical exam and review your personal and family medical history. You also will have a urinalysis, which checks for blood or other abnormalities in your urine.

Who Should Get Screened?

Bladder cancer is typically found in older people - usually after the age of 65. Active and former tobacco users who are younger than 60 but have smoked for 20 years are also at risk.

Bladder cancer affects men three times as often as women. Women often are misdiagnosed when blood in the urine is attributed to other conditions. When finally identified, a woman’s bladder cancer is usually more advanced and harder to treat.

View one man's journey to recovery

Types of Screening

While there is no routine screening method for bladder cancer, people at risk or with symptoms may be evaluated with:

  • Hematuria tests, which look for red blood cells in the urine.
  • Cystoscopy, where a narrow caliber, lighted tube called a cystoscope is inserted through the urethra and into the bladder. Your doctor may take some tissue samples for biopsy during this procedure.
  • Urine cytology, which uses a microscope to look for abnormal cells in a urine sample.

Treatment Options

The Penn State Cancer Institute team works together to make the diagnosis and determine the best treatment options for each bladder cancer patient.

  • Most bladder cancer patients will need surgery to diagnose and help treat their cancer. Your doctor will talk to you about the type of surgery that is right for your specific cancer.
  • Radiation therapy is also sometimes used to treat bladder cancer. If necessary, you will meet with a radiation oncologist to talk about its risks and benefits.
  • Some patients with bladder cancer may need chemotherapy or immunotherapy. These treatments kill cancer cells everywhere in your body. Your medical oncologist will talk to you about the plan that is right for you.

Find Out More

You can find more information about bladder cancer, the treatment options available and our team here.