Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer occurs when malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the bladder. It is the 6th most common cancer in the United States. The most common type is urothelial carcinoma (also called transitional cell carcinoma), which begins in the cells lining the bladder. Most cases are diagnosed in people aged 65 or older, and men are 4x more likely to get it than women. Risk factors include smoking, exposure to industrial chemicals, chronic bladder inflammation or infections, and family history of bladder cancer. Bladder cancer has a high recurrence rate, so survivors should make sure to undergo regular follow-ups.