Bladder cancer is the second most common urologic cancer, occuring more frequently in men than women. Men are affected three times are frequently as women, and the disease is unusual in people under 40 years of age. The mean age of diagnosis for bladder cancer is 65.
Risk Factors
Cigarette smoking and exposure to industrial dyes, solvents, and chemicals are risk factors for the disease.
Symptoms
Bladder cancer is difficult to diagnose. Voiding symptoms (urinary frequency and urgency) occur in a small percentage of people later diagnosed with bladder cancer.
Diagnosis
Bladder cancers may be detected using urography, ultrasound, CT, or MRI where filling defects within the bladder are noted. However, the presence of a cancer is confirmed by biopsy or cystocopy.
