Skip to main content

Quick menu

  • Patient Portal
    • About Overlake
    • History
    • Leadership
    • Awards & Recognition
    • Newsroom
    • Volunteer
    • Community Benefit
  • Careers
  • Contact
Home

Main menu

    • Featured Services
      • Lottie file
        Cancer Care
      • Lottie file
        Childbirth & Maternity Care
      • Lottie file
        Digestive Health
      • Lottie file
        Heart & Vascular Center
      • Lottie file
        Neurosciences
      • Lottie file
        Orthopedics
      • Lottie file
        Primary Care
      • Lottie file
        Concierge Care
        Patient Membership Program
    • All Services & Programs
      • Dermatology
      • Diabetes & Endocrinology
      • Ear, Nose & Throat
      • Emergency Care
      • Eye Care
      • Infectious Disease
      • Infusion Suite
      • Kidney (Nephrology)
      • Laboratory & Pathology
      • Lung (Pulmonology)
      • Medical Imaging
      • Mental & Behavioral Health
      • Nutrition Services
      • Obstetrics & Gynecology
      • Palliative Care
      • Rehabilitation Care
      • Rheumatology
      • Senior Health
      • Sleep Medicine
      • Sports Medicine
      • Surgical Services
      • Urgent Care
      • Urogynecology & Pelvic Health
      • Urology
      • Weight Loss Services
      • Women's Health
      • All Services & Programs
    • Hospital & Clinic Information
      • Campus Map & Parking
      • Amenities
      • Spiritual Care
      • Interpreter & Deaf Services
    • Patients
      • Schedule an Appointment
      • Patient Information
      • Patient Portal
      • Billing & Insurance
      • Medical Records
    • Visitors
      • Visitor Information
      • Waiting Areas
      • Lodging
      • Visitor Notice
    • Classes & Events
    • Healthy Outlook
    • Senior Resources
  • Doctors
  • Locations
    • Make a Gift
    • Overlake Foundation
    • Ways to Give
Overlake Medical Center

Main menu - Mobile

    • Featured Services
      • Image
        Cancer Care
        Cancer Care
      • Image
        Childbirth Infant Care
        Childbirth & Maternity Care
      • Image
        Digestive Health
        Digestive Health
      • Image
        Heart & Vascular
        Heart & Vascular Center
      • Image
        Neurosciences
        Neurosciences
      • Image
        Orthopedics
        Orthopedics
      • Image
        Primary Care
        Primary Care
      • Image
        Concierge Care
        Concierge Care
    • All Services & Programs
      • Dermatology
      • Diabetes & Endocrinology
      • Ear, Nose & Throat
      • Emergency Care
      • Eye Care
      • Infectious Disease
      • Infusion Suite
      • Kidney (Nephrology)
      • Laboratory & Pathology
      • Lung (Pulmonology)
      • Medical Imaging
      • Mental & Behavioral Health
      • Nutrition Services
      • Obstetrics & Gynecology
      • Palliative Care
      • Rehabilitation Care
      • Rheumatology
      • Senior Health
      • Sleep Medicine
      • Sports Medicine
      • Surgical Services
      • Urgent Care
      • Urogynecology & Pelvic Health
      • Urology
      • Weight Loss Services
      • Women's Health
      • All Services & Programs
      • Campus Map & Parking
      • Amenities
      • Spiritual Care
      • Interpreter & Deaf Services
      • Schedule an Appointment
      • Patient Information
      • Patient Portal
      • Billing & Insurance
      • Medical Records
      • Visitor Information
      • Waiting Areas
      • Lodging
      • Visitor Notice
    • Classes & Events
    • Healthy Outlook
    • Senior Resources
  • Doctors
  • Locations
    • Make a Gift
    • Overlake Foundation
    • Ways to Give

Quick menu - Mobile

  • Patient Portal
    • About Overlake
    • History
    • Leadership
    • Awards & Recognition
    • Newsroom
    • Volunteer
    • Community Benefit
  • Careers
  • Contact

Bladder Cancer

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Services
  3. Cancer Care
print page Print share page Share

Share

Copy Link

 

The bladder has many layers. Bladder cancer usually begins in the inside lining, known as the urothelium or transitional epithelium. It worsens when the cancer grows into or through other layers of the bladder wall. Most bladder cancers are diagnosed early, making them highly treatable.

Bladder cancer is three times more likely in men than in women and mainly occurs in people over the age of 70. It is the 6th most common cancer in the United States.

Find Providers

Types of Bladder Cancer

Urothelial carcinoma (transitional cell carcinoma): Starting in the urothelial cells inside the bladder, urothelial carcinomas account for most bladder cancer cases. Urothelial cells line other areas of the urinary tract, including the renal pelvis connecting the kidney to the ureter, the ureters and the urethra. Those must be checked for tumors as well.

Squamous cell carcinoma: This type, just 2% or less of bladder cancer cases, produces flat cancer cells that under a microscope resemble cells on the skin surface. Squamous cell carcinomas might develop after the bladder has been infected or irritated for a long time and they are invasive, meaning they may spread to surrounding tissues.

Adenocarcinoma: This form of cancer starts in cells that compose mucus-secreting glands in the bladder. Aggressive in nature, adenocarcinomas comprise only 1% of cases.

Small cell carcinoma: Fewer than 1% of bladder cancer cases involve small cell carcinomas. They begin in neuroendocrine cells, similar to nerve and endocrine cells, and may be fast-growing.

Symptoms

Bladder cancer produces symptoms in many people, but not in everyone. Symptoms include:

  • Blood in the urine, which may or may not be visible to the naked eye. It is often painless. If you see blood in your urine, contact your doctor immediately, even if it goes away.
  • Frequent and urgent need to urinate.
  • Pain when urinating.
  • Lower abdominal pain.
  • Back pain.

These symptoms can also be indications of other conditions such as a urinary tract infection or kidney stones. If you experience them, get in touch with your physician right away.

Risk Factors

  • Smoking is the greatest risk factor, causing about half of all cases in men and women. Smokers are three times more likely than non-smokers to develop bladder cancer. Quitting smoking reduces the risk.
  • Workplace exposure to certain industrial and organic chemicals. The risk is especially high for people who smoke and work around these substances.
  • Not drinking enough fluids.
  • Chronic bladder irritations and infections, genetics and family history are among other risk factors.
  • Caucasians are about twice more likely to develop bladder cancer than are African Americans and Hispanics, with rates somewhat lower for Asian Americans and Native Americans. The reasons for these differences are not well understood.

Treatment

The appropriate treatment for bladder cancer is typically based on the type of bladder cancer and the grade and stage of disease.

Low-stage bladder cancers are typically treated by removing the tumor through the urethra. Sometimes we follow this treatment with chemotherapy or immunotherapy to make sure all of the cancer cells are gone and reduce the chances of the cancer coming back.

Higher-stage tumors often require more significant treatment, which could include chemotherapy, radiation or possibly removing the bladder. We tailor each patient’s treatment to their unique needs.

Outstanding Bladder Cancer Care

The Overlake Cancer Center is affiliated with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, providing state-of-the-art urologic cancer care with our renowned compassion and focus on all aspects of your wellbeing. To make an appointment or for answers to any questions you may have, call us today at 425-454-8016.

Cancer Care

  • Bladder Cancer
  • Brain Cancer Program
  • Breast Cancer
    • Diagnosis
    • Glossary
    • Treatment
  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Genetic Counseling
  • Gynecological Cancer Program
    • Cervical Cancer
    • Endometrial & Uterine Cancer
    • Ovarian Cancer
  • Head and Neck Cancer Program
  • High-Risk Cancer Surveillance Clinic
  • Kidney Cancer
  • Lung Cancer
  • Nurse Navigation
  • Pancreatic Cancer Program
  • Prevention & Screening
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Skin Cancer
  • Success Stories
  • Supportive Care Services
  • Testicular Cancer
  • Treatment Options
  • Medical Oncology Program
  • Radiation Oncology Program
  • Surgical Oncology

How You Can Help

Overlake Medical Center Foundation raises funds to support Overlake’s vital programs, ensuring that we meet the health and wellness needs of our growing Eastside community.

Give Now

Careers

Overlake is an award-winning, nonprofit, independently operated regional health system. We care deeply for our patients and for the community we serve.

See Open Positions

Overlake Medical Center & Clinics

1035 116th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004

Phone: (425) 688-5000

See All Locations

Footer Sitemap

  • Patient Resources
    • Doctors
    • Services & Programs
    • Billing & Insurance
    • Campus Map & Parking
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Patient Portal
    • Price Transparency
  • Giving
    • Ways to Give
    • Make a Gift
    • Overlake Foundation
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Volunteer
    • Community Benefit
    • Newsroom
    • Media Relations
  • Professional Resources
    • For Providers
    • For Employees
    • For Volunteers
  • Learn
    • Classes & Events
    • Healthy Outlook Blog
    • Health Library
  • Careers at Overlake
    • Careers
    • Applicant Portal
  • Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Youtube
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

Footer Sitemap

  • Patient Resources
    • Doctors
    • Services & Programs
    • Billing & Insurance
    • Campus Map & Parking
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Patient Portal
    • Price Transparency
  • Giving
    • Ways to Give
    • Make a Gift
    • Overlake Foundation
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Volunteer
    • Community Benefit
    • Newsroom
    • Media Relations
  • Professional Resources
    • For Providers
    • For Employees
    • For Volunteers
  • Learn
    • Classes & Events
    • Healthy Outlook Blog
    • Health Library
  • Careers at Overlake
    • Careers
    • Applicant Portal
  • Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Youtube
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

© 2025 Overlake Medical Center & Clinics. All rights reserved.

Footer

  • Website Privacy Policy
  • Policies and Notices
  • Nondiscrimination Policy
  • Language Assistance Policy