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Bladder cancer

Nearly all cancers of the bladder begin in the urothelium (lining of the bladder). These are called transitional cell cancers (or urothelial cancers). They come in a wide range of forms and can behave in very different ways.

Transitional cell cancers grow from the inside lining of the bladder. They are either superficial or invasive cancers.

• Most bladder cancers are superficial cancers. They either look flat and red (carcinoma in situ) or stick out from the lining like mushrooms (papillary). Superficial cancers don’t often spread to other parts of the body.
• Less often, transitional cell cancers grow deeply into the wall of the bladder. These are called invasive cancers and are more likely to spread to other parts of the body.

Squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas are less common bladder cancers. These types are likely to spread to deeper layers of the bladder.

MORE INFORMATION from CCV