Bladder Cancer

What is bladder cancer?

This cancer starts in the intricate liner of the bladder and gradually works its way outward where it spreads to other parts of the body. About 9 in 10 people diagnosed with bladder cancer are age 55 or older, and the average age at the time of diagnosis is 73. With about 71,000 new cases each year and a five-year survival rate of about 75 percent, bladder cancer is twice as likely in Caucasians and people who smoke.

What are the signs and symptoms of bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer symptoms in males can first be noticed with blood in your urine. And the same similar symptoms of bladder cancer in females. Other symptoms of bladder cancer can include:

Painful urination
Urinary tract infections
Frequent urination
Weak urination stream
Burning sensation when peeing
Feeling unwell after using the bathroom

For men having urinary symptoms, your doctor will want to analyze your urine to determine the causes of the symptoms. If bladder cancer can be detected early, then the chances for treatability increases.

Treating Bladder Cancer

More than 70,000 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer every year. “Bladder cancer is a common cancer in America. Unfortunately, it’s caused primarily by smoking. There are other causes as well, but most people don’t think about the fact that smoking is going to cause them to have bladder cancer,” said urologic oncologist Dr. Joseph Klink.

90% of people diagnosed with bladder cancer are 55 or older. The number one symptom is blood in the urine, but painful, frequent, burning, or weak urination could also be a sign. If it’s discovered early, “Initial treatment for bladder cancer is initially carving out the cancer in a minor surgery without any incisions just inside the bladder. That will then give us pathology to let us know how serious the cancer is in the next step in treatment is based on how serious the cancer is, and how deeply it has invaded,” said Dr. Klink.

If the bladder cancer is advanced and has invaded the muscle wall, surgeons like Dr. Klink can remove it with the help of a robot. “In the olden days, we used to take out the entire bladder through a very invasive surgery with a very long time in the hospital and a difficult recovery. Now we can take out the whole bladder and do a reconstruction with the da Vinci robot in a minimally invasive manner and help with recovery. People don’t have as much pain or wound infections, and you can get out of the hospital faster.”

If the bladder is removed, the urine still must go somewhere. The robot can help with the reconstruction. “There has to be a reconstruction usually involves a piece of the bowels. With the da Vinci robot, we can actually do that reconstruction all inside the body without making any open incisions to get that done,” said Dr. Klink. You can learn more by searching for bladder cancer on leehealth.org.

Bladder Cancer Support Group in Fort Myers

Looking for a bladder cancer support group near me? Our bladder support groups are offered in person at the Regional Caner Center or online.

Cancer Support Groups

Cancer support groups are gatherings that provide a secure environment for those impacted by the disease to talk about their feelings and experiences with other cancer patients.

Types of Bladder Cancer

If the doctors discover cancerous cells through diagnosis the next step is understanding which type of bladder cancer is present. Bladder cancer types are:

Urothelial carcinoma, also known as Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) - cancer that begins in cells that normally make up the inner lining of the bladder.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma - cancer that begins in thin, flat cells and develops in the bladder lining due to chronic irritation or inflammation.
Adenocarcinoma - cancer that begins in the cells that make and release mucus and other fluids.
Sarcoma - rare cancer type that develops in the muscle cells of the bladder.
Small Cell Carcinoma - an aggressive type of cancer that forms in the neuroendocrine cells of the bladder.

The different types of bladder cancers can grow in various patterns. It is important to remember you are not alone when it comes to a cancer diagnosis. The Lee Health Cancer Institute is always here to help coordinate care if you live out of state, visiting, or reside in Southwest Florida.

Cancer Treatment Centers in Fort Myers and Estero

The Lee Health Cancer Institute extends its support to patients across Florida, providing a wide range of comprehensive treatment options. Our team of highly skilled medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and surgical oncologists is dedicated to delivering exceptional care.

Lee Health Regional Cancer Center

8931 Colonial Center Dr Fort Myers, FL 33905

Get Directions

Phone number (239) 343-9500 View Details
Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Cancer Clinic - Bonita Health Center

3501 Health Center Blvd Estero, FL 34135

Get Directions

Phone number 239-343-9500 View Details

What is Lee Health's approach to diagnosing bladder cancer?

Doctors will use a series of tests to determine if cancer is present. They can use urinalysis, cystoscopy, and other imaging tests to discover the disease. An MRI or CT scan can be performed at one of our Lee Health outpatient imaging locations. An imaging test can help show the findings or possible signs of bladder cancer early.

Computed Tomography (CT Scan)

CT scans use a computer to combine multiple x-rays to create a 3-D image of soft tissue, bones, organs and blood vessels.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

MRI is a painless imaging procedure used to help your physician diagnose a wide variety of conditions. In many cases, it provides different information about structures within the body that can’t be viewed through other imaging procedures.