The urinary bladder is a pouchlike, muscular organ that sits on the pelvic floor. This organ is responsible for the collection, storage, and disposal (urination) of urine from the kidneys. Unfortunately, should abnormal cells develop in the bladder (typically within the inner walls or urothelial cells of the bladder wall), bladder cancer may be present.

The Mayo Clinic estimates that bladder cancer affects an estimated 68,000 Americans, mostly older adults, and the majority of which are men. The most typical form of bladder cancer grows in the bladder walls (or urothelial cells), however, bladder cancer can form due to malignant cell growth in any part of the bladder. Later stage bladder cancer occurs when malignant tumors
Metastasize, or spread to other parts of the body. Metastasis can travel via the bloodstream or lymphatic systems striking nearby organs (i.e., kidneys or lungs).

Bladder cancer typically develops in one of 3 prevalent types (squamous cell carcinoma, urothelial carcinoma, or adenocarcinoma). However, the good news is that most forms of bladder cancer are very treatable when diagnosed early:

1. Urothelial carcinoma
Urothelial carcinoma is considered the most common form of bladder cancer. According to research from the Mayo Clinic, this type of bladder cancer impacts roughly 90% of bladder cancer patients in the U.S. Hence the name, urothelial carcinoma causes abnormal cell growth in the innermost bladder lining (or transitional cells of the urothelium).

2. Adenocarcinoma
Considered by health professionals as the second most prevalent form of bladder cancer, adenocarcinoma consists of roughly 2% of all American bladder cancer diagnosis. Adenocarcinoma develops within the glandular cells, which produce and trigger essential bladder fluids (i.e., mucus).

3. Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma encompasses roughly 8% of all bladder cancer cases. It develops typically due to irritation of the bladder over the long term, and it develops in abnormal, interconnected cells that grow in flat masses.

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