Bladder cancer develops in the tissues of the bladder, an organ that holds the urine. According to statistics shared by the National Institutes of Health, around 17,000 women and 45,000 men are diagnosed with this disease every year. If you find yourself suffering from any of the following causes or symptoms, visit a doctor at the earliest and get tested as it is easier to fight this condition in its earlier stages:

1. Causes of bladder cancer
Bladder cancer occurs when there is an abnormal growth in the cells of the bladder. Instead of growing and dividing in an orderly manner, these cells develop mutations due to which they grow beyond control and do not die. Subsequently, the abnormal cells develop a tumor. Some of the causes are:

• Exposure to radiation in the past

• Being in a profession that subjects one to harmful chemicals

• Parasitic infections particularly found in individuals who have traveled to or are from certain locations

• Persistent irritation of the bladder’s lining

• Smoking and consumption of tobacco

2. Bladder cancer symptoms
There are various signs and symptoms associated with bladder cancer. These include bone tenderness, weight loss, and fatigue. In many instances, people might have blood in their urine as well. However, they may not face any pain while passing urine. Some of the most common symptoms are:

• Pain in the lower portion of the back

• Pain in the abdominal area

• Urinary incontinence

• Urgent, frequent, and painful urination

• Blood in the urine

3. Types of bladder cancer

The type of bladder cancer one develops depends on the kind of cell and its origin. Two of the most common types of bladder cancer are:

Urothelial carcinoma: Almost 90 percent of all bladder cancers start inside the cells of the inner lining of the bladder. This form of bladder cancer is referred to as urothelial carcinoma. It is the most common type of bladder type in the country. Also known as transitional cell carcinoma, this condition is non-invasive. This indicates that the tumor remains inside the inner lining of the bladder. This bladder cancer type has rarer variants, which depend on the appearance of the cells under a microscope. The variants are:

• Clear cell
• Lipoid cell
• Inverted papilloma-like
• Microcystic
• Sarcomatoid
• Lymphoepithelioma-like
• Micropapillary
• Nested
• Plasmacytoid

Squamous cell carcinoma: After urothelial carcinoma, this is the second most common kind of bladder cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma comprises approximately five percent of all bladder cancers in Europe and North America. It starts in the flat, thin squamous cells that may develop in the bladder after infection and chronic inflammation. This type of bladder cancer is usually found in parts of the globe where schistosomiasis parasitic infection is widespread.