II. Epidemiology
-
Incidence in United States (Sixth most common cancer in the United States)
- New cases in 2017 (estimated): 79,030
- Mortality: 16,400 in 2016 (12th cause of cancer death)
- Bladder Cancer mortality is decreasing in women, but not men (as of 2017)
- Gender: Men affected more than women by ratio of 3-4 to 1
- Age: Onset over age 55 years in 90% of cases (mean age 73 years)
- Race
- Twice as common in white patients
- Delayed diagnosis more common in black patients
- References
- NIH Cancer Statistics
III. Risk Factors (latency of 5 to 50 years after exposure)
-
Tobacco Abuse (50% of cases in developed countries)
- Relative Risk: 4-7 (dose dependent risk)
- Occupational exposure to aromatic amines (5-10% of cases in industrialized countries)
- Higher risk exposures
- Arsenic (well water contaminant)
- Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
- Schistosoma haematobium infection
- Endemic to 50 countries in Africa and the Middle East (farmers are high risk)
- Predominantly associated with squamous cell cancers
- Bladder radiation exposure (e.g. pelvic malignancy treatment, CT Pelvis in childhood)
- Onset 5-10 years after treatment
- Causes high grade, locally advanced tumors
- Other exposure associations
- Medical condition associations
- Family History of Bladder Cancer (esp. young age onset)
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Human Papillomavirus Infection
- Obesity
- Renal Transplant recipient
- Chronic Bladder inflammation
- Chronic Kidney Stones and Bladder stones
- Chronic Urinary Tract Infections
- Longterm indwelling Urinary Catheter
- References
- Jankovic (2007) Tumori 93(1): 4-12 [PubMed]
- Cancer.Net Bladder Cancer Risk Factors (ASCO)
IV. Classification
- Epithelial Tumor (99%)
- Transitional Cell or Urothelial Tumors (90%)
- Papilloma (flat or papillary)
- Papillary urothelial carcinoma (low to high grade)
- Invasive urothelial carcinoma (lamina or detrussor Muscle invasion)
- Non-urothelial Cell Tumors (9%)
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma (verrucous)
- Uncommon in developed world
- Represents 81% of Bladder Cancer cases where Schistosomiasis is endemic
- Adenocarcinoma (Clear cell, hepatoid, Signet ring, Urachal)
- Small Cell Carcinoma
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma (verrucous)
- Transitional Cell or Urothelial Tumors (90%)
- Non-epithelial or Mesenchymal Tumors (1%)
- Benign (Hemangioma, Leiomyoma, Lipoma, Neurofibroma, Paraganglioma)
- Malignant (Angiosarcoma, Leiomyosarcoma, fibrous histiocytoma, Osteosarcoma, Rhabdomyosarcoma)
V. Symptoms
- Painless, microscopic or Gross Hematuria (80%)
- Gross blood throughout urination (due to Bladder Cancer in 20% of cases)
- Microscopic Hematuria is associated with Bladder Cancer in 2% of cases
- Irritative voiding symptoms (20%, typically associated with Bladder Cancer in-situ)
- Urinary Frequency
- Urinary Urgency
- Urge Incontinence
- Dysuria
- Obstructive symptoms (typically associated with Urethral or Bladder neck tumors)
- Decreased stream
- Incomplete voiding sense
- Straining to evacuate Bladder
- Metastatic disease symptoms
- Anorexia or Cachexia
- Respiratory symptoms
- Abdominal Pain, Pelvic Pain or Flank Pain
- Acute Renal Failure with edema
- Bone pain
VI. Differential Diagnosis
VII. Diagnostics
- Urine Cytology
- Indications
- High risk for urothelial tumors
- Known urothelial carcinoma
- Avoid in isolated asymptomatic Microscopic Hematuria (higher False Positive Rate)
- Smear of exfoliated urinary cells
- Test Specificity: 95-100%
- However, False Positives with Renal Calculi and Urinary Tract Infections
- Test Sensitivity for Bladder Cancer
- Overall: <75%
- Negative findings do not exclude Bladder Cancer
- High grade urothelial tumors: >80-90%
- Immunocytology: 70-90%
- Nuclear matrix Protein (bladder Tumor Marker)
- Associated with flow cytometry: 93%
- Overall: <75%
- Indications
-
Cystoscopy (gold standard)
- Indications
- Gross Hematuria
- Microscopic Hematuria AND one of the following criteria
- Age >35 years old OR
- Bladder Cancer risk factors (e.g. Tobacco Abuse, chemical exposures, irritative Bladder symptoms)
- Fluorescence Cystoscopy
- Uses Photosensitizer (e.g. hexaminolevulinic acid instilled intravesically) can help identify flat lesions (e.g. CIS)
- Bladder Wash Cytology
- Near perfect Test Sensitivity in identifying CIS even with normal appearing mucosa
- Transurethral resection of the Bladder tumor (TURBT)
- Abdominal CT or MRI imaging should be completed prior to TURBT (False Positives from procedure)
- Indicated for abnormal Bladder wash cytology or tissue pathology
- Visible tumor removed and surrounding tissue sampled for diagnosis, staging, grading
- Indications
VIII. Imaging: First line tests
- Multiphasic CT Urography and Pelvis CT with and without contrast (preferred)
- Has replaced intravenous urography, since it gives both functional and anatomic information
- High upper tract lesion Test Sensitivity (95%) and Test Specificity (92%)
- MRI Urography and MRI Pelvis
- Indicated when CT contrast is contraindicated (pregnancy, contrast allergy, Renal Insufficiency)
IX. Imaging: Other tests
- Intravenous pyelogram
- CT Urography has replaced IVP
- Renal Ultrasound
- Consider in addition to CT or MRI in suspected renal parenchymal disease
- Not adequate as a single study to evaluate Microscopic Hematuria or Bladder Cancer (low Test Sensitivity)
- Bone scan
- Obtain if Serum Alkaline Phosphatase is elevated or bone metastases suspected
-
Chest XRay
- Indicated as evaluation for metastases
X. Labs: General at time of Bladder Cancer diagnosis
- Basic labs
- Urinalysis
- Basic Chemistry Panel (e.g. Chem8)
- Evaluate for renal Impairment (Serum Creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen)
- Evaluation for metastatic disease
XI. Labs: Tumor Markers
- Precautions
- Despite high sensitivity, not recommended for routine screening due to low Specificity
- Available tests
XII. Evaluation
- Step 1: Evaluate Hematuria with history, exam and Urinalysis
- Step 2: Imaging to characterize lesion (e.g. CT Urography)
- Step 3: Consider urine cytology
- Step 4: Cystoscopy with biopsy
- Step 5: Transurethral Resection of the Bladder (TURBT, see above)
- Step 6: Management as below based on tumor type and Bladder staging
XIII. Staging
XIV. Management: Urothelial - Superficial Bladder Cancer (Tis, Ta, T1)
- See surveillance for recurrence below
- Small, solitary low grade mucosal diploid tumors (Ta)
- Indication: Low risk or recurrence
- Transurethral resection
- Consider concurrent single dose of intravesical Chemotherapy or BCG within 24 hours of resection
- Indicated for tumors at higher risk of progression or recurrence (see EORTC calculator below)
- Multifocal or high grade aneuploid tumors (high grade Ta, Tis or T1)
- Risk in 50% of recurrence with Muscle-invasive disease
- Transurethral resection (TURBT) initial and repeated for restaging at 2-6 weeks after initial TURBT and
- Intravesical Immunotherapy 2 hours/week for 6-8 weeks
- Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) - preferred
- Mitomycin C
- Other agents that have been used: Doxorubicin (Adriamycin), Epirubicin (Ellence), Thiopeta
XV. Management: Urothelial - Invasive Bladder Cancer (T2 to T4)
- Radical cystectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy (superior to external beam radiation) and
- Systemic Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: Cisplatin-Based (increases 5 year survival from the 50% for surgery alone)
- Cisplatin with Methotrexate, Vinblastine, and possibly Doxorubicin OR
- Cisplatin with Gemcitabine
XVI. Management: Urothelial - Metastatic Bladder Cancer
-
Chemotherapy
- Cisplatin with Methotrexate, Vinblastine, and Doxorubicin (M-VAC) or
- Cisplatin with Gemcitabine
XVII. Management: Nonurethelial Bladder Carcinoma
-
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Cystectomy or Radiation Therapy
- Adenocarcinoma
- Cystectomy and
- Chemotherapy
- Consider Fluorouracil-based Chemotherapy
- Avoid M-VAC (ineffective for adenocarcinoma)
- Small Cell Carcinoma
- Cystectomy or Radiation Therapy and
- Chemotherapy
- Mixed Histology
- Treat as urothelial cancer as above
XVIII. Management: Bladder reconstruction after cystectomy options
- Ileal conduit urinary diversion
- Continent reservoir urinary diversion
- Monitor Serum Vitamin B12 yearly (due to repurposing of ileum)
XIX. Management: Monitoring (Cancer Survivor Care)
- See Cancer Survivor Care
- Low Grade Ta
- Cystoscopy at 3 months, 12 months, then annually to year 5
- High grade Ta or T1
- Cystoscopy and urine cytology every 3-6 months for 2 years
- Then, further evaluations at increasing intervals
- Intermediate risk: Annually from year 2 to 5
- High risk: Every 6 months from year 2 to 5, then annually until year 10
- CT Abdomen and Pelvis obtained baseline in first year
- Other testing to consider (per urology or oncology)
- Upper urinary tract imaging (e.g. CT Urography) every 1-2 years up to year 10
- Urinary Tumor Marker testing (urothelial cancers only)
- Other management to consider
- Maintenance with BCG Immunotherapy (esp. if used for initial instillation)
- Cystoscopy and urine cytology every 3-6 months for 2 years
- T2 or greater (Muscle invasive disease) after radical cystectomy
- Labs periodically
- Urine cytology
- Basic chemistry panel (including Serum Creatinine)
- Imaging every 6-12 months for 2-3 years, then yearly
- Labs periodically
- T2 or greater (Muscle invasive disease) after Bladder-preserving surgery
- Labs every 3-6 months for 2 years and then periodically
- Urine cytology
- Basic chemistry panel (including Serum Creatinine and serum Electrolytes)
- Liver Function Tests
- Imaging every 6-12 months for 2-3 years, then yearly
- Cystoscopy with urine cytology every 3-6 months for 2 years and then periodically
- Other measures
- Labs every 3-6 months for 2 years and then periodically
- References
XX. Prognosis
- Worse outcomes for patients continuing Tobacco Abuse
-
Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
- Post-Radical Cystectomy and extensive Lymph Node dissection 5 year survival: 66%
- Procedure itself has a 3 to 9% mortality in first 90 days
- Post-Bladder preservation therapy: 50-60%
- Witjes (2014) Eur Urol 65(4): 778-92 [PubMed]
- Post-Radical Cystectomy and extensive Lymph Node dissection 5 year survival: 66%
- Metastatic Bladder Cancer (untreated)
- Two year survival: <5%
- Bladder calculator for risk of Bladder Cancer progression or recurrence (EORTC)
XXI. Prevention
- Routine screening for Bladder Cancer is not recommended
- Eliminate modifiable risk factors (esp. Tobacco exposure and chemical exposures)
Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)
Related Studies
Definition (MEDLINEPLUS) |
The bladder is a hollow organ in your lower abdomen that stores urine. Bladder cancer occurs in the lining of the bladder. It is the sixth most common type of cancer in the United States. Symptoms include
Risk factors for developing bladder cancer include smoking and exposure to certain chemicals in the workplace. People with a family history of bladder cancer or who are older, white, or male have a higher risk. Treatments for bladder cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and biologic therapy. Biologic therapy boosts your body's own ability to fight cancer. NIH: National Cancer Institute |
Definition (NCI) | A primary or metastatic malignant neoplasm involving the bladder. |
Concepts | Neoplastic Process (T191) |
MSH | D001749 |
ICD9 | 188.9, 188 |
ICD10 | C67 , C67.9 |
SnomedCT | 93689003, 363455001, 269607003, 154540000, 188248005, 399326009 |
English | Malignant neoplasm of bladder, Malig neop bladder NOS, Malign tumor urinary bladder, Malign tumour urinary bladder, Malignant neoplasm of bladder, part unspecified, Malignant neoplasm of urinary bladder NOS, Bladder, unspecified, Malignant neoplasm of bladder, unspecified, Urinary Bladder Cancer, Cancer, Urinary Bladder, BLADDER CANCER, Malig neop of bladder, malignant neoplasm of bladder (diagnosis), bladder cancer, bladder cancer (diagnosis), malignant neoplasm of bladder, Ca bladder, Bladder cancer NOS, Bladder Cancer, Bladder Cancers, Cancer of Bladder, Cancer of the Bladder, malignant tumor of bladder, Malig neo bladder NOS, Cancer of bladder, bladder ca, bladder cancers, cancer of bladder, Cancer, Bladder, Bladder neoplasms malignant, Malignant Tumor of Urinary Bladder, Bladder Ca, Malignant neoplasm of urinary bladder NOS (disorder), Bladder--Cancer, Bladder cancer, CA - Bladder cancer, Malignant tumor of urinary bladder, Malignant tumour of urinary bladder, Malignant tumor of urinary bladder (disorder), cancer of the bladder, urinary bladder cancer, Malignant neoplasm of bladder, NOS, Malignant neoplasm of urinary bladder, Malignant Bladder Neoplasm, Malignant Bladder Tumor, Malignant Neoplasm of Bladder, Malignant Neoplasm of Urinary Bladder, Malignant Neoplasm of the Bladder, Malignant Neoplasm of the Urinary Bladder, Malignant Neoplasm, Bladder, Malignant Neoplasm, Urinary Bladder, Malignant Tumor of Bladder, Malignant Tumor of the Bladder, Malignant Tumor of the Urinary Bladder, Malignant Tumor, Urinary Bladder, Malignant Urinary Bladder Neoplasm, Malignant Urinary Bladder Tumor, Urinary Bladder Malignant Neoplasm, Urinary Bladder Malignant Tumor, Neoplasm malig;bladder, malignant neosplasm of the bladder |
Italian | Tumori maligni della vescica, Carcinoma della vescica, Tumore maligno di parte non specificata della vescica, Tumore maligno della vescica, Cancro della vescica NAS, Cancro della vescica urinaria, Cancro della vescica |
Dutch | ca blaas, maligne neoplasma van de blaas, deel niet-gespecificeerd, blaaskanker NAO, maligne neoplasma van de blaas, Maligniteit blaas, Maligne neoplasma van blaas, niet gespecificeerd, blaaskanker, blaasneoplasmata maligne, Maligne neoplasma van blaas |
French | Carc de la vessie, Cancer de la vessie SAI, Tumeur maligne de la vessie, partie non précisée, Tumeur maligne de la vessie, Cancer de la vessie urinaire, Tumeurs malignes de la vessie, Cancer de la vessie, Cancer vésical, Cancers vésicaux |
German | boesartige Neubildung der Blase, Ka Blase, Blasenkrebs NNB, boesartige Neubildung der Blase, Teil unspezifisch, Krebs der Blase, Harnblasenkrebs, Boesartige Neubildung der Harnblase, Boesartige Neubildung: Harnblase, nicht naeher bezeichnet, Neubildungen der Blase boesartig, Blasenkrebs, Krebs der Harnblase |
Portuguese | Neoplasia maligna da bexiga parte NE, Ca da bexiga, Cancro da bexiga NE, Neoplasia maligna da bexiga, Neoplasias malignas da bexiga, Cancro da bexiga, Câncer da Bexiga |
Spanish | Ca de vejiga, Neoplasia maligna de vejiga, Cáncer de vejiga NEOM, Neoplasia maligna de vejiga, parte no especificada, neoplasia maligna de la vejiga (trastorno), neoplasia vesical maligna, neoplasia maligna de la vejiga, neoplasia maligna de vejiga urinaria, SAI (trastorno), neoplasia maligna de vejiga urinaria, SAI, tumor maligno de vejiga (trastorno), tumor maligno de vejiga, Neoplasias malignas de vejiga, Cáncer de vejiga, Cáncer de la Vejiga |
Japanese | 膀胱の悪性新生物、部位不明, 膀胱癌NOS, 悪性膀胱新生物, 膀胱の悪性新生物, 膀胱癌, ボウコウガン, ボウコウガンNOS, ボウコウノアクセイシンセイブツ, アクセイボウコウシンセイブツ, ボウコウノアクセイシンセイブツブイフメイ |
Czech | Maligní novotvar močového měchýře, část blíže neurčená, Novotvary močového měchýře maligní, Maligní nádorové onemocnění močového měchýře, Ca močového měchýře, Maligní nádor močového měchýře NOS, Maligní novotvar močového měchýře, močový měchýř - rakovina, rakovina močového měchýře |
Korean | 방광의 악성신생물, 상세불명 방광의 악성신생물 |
Hungarian | Húgyhólyag nem meghatározott részének malignus daganata, Húgyhólyag carcinoma, Húgyhólyag neoplasmák, rosszindulatú, Húgyhólyag rák, Húgyhólyag malignus daganata, Húgyhólyag rák k.m.n. |
Norwegian | Blærekreft, Kreft i urinblære, Blærecancer, Cancer i urinblære |