What is bladder

It is a special type of lining that stretches as the bladder fills up. It stops the urine being absorbed back into your body. The fourth layer is fatty connective tissue. It separates the bladder from other body organs, such as the prostate and kidneys. Treatment for bladder cancer depends on how far the cancer has grown into the layers of your bladder the stage of your cancer. Cancer starts with changes in one cell or a small group of cells in the body.

The changes make cells start to grow and multiply too much. The risk of developing cancer depends on a number of things, including your age, genetics and lifestyle and environmental factors. Find out what increases the risk of bladder cancer. Find out what to expect when you see your GP, when you might see a specialist and which tests you may have. About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since Questions about cancer? Call freephone 9 to 5 Monday to Friday or email us.

Skip to main content. Home About cancer Bladder cancer What is bladder cancer. In fact, if you have bladder cancer it's almost certain to be a urothelial carcinoma.

These cancers start in the urothelial cells that line the inside of the bladder. Urothelial cells also line other parts of the urinary tract, such as the part of the kidney that connects to the ureter called the renal pelvis , the ureters, and the urethra. People with bladder cancer sometimes have tumors in these places, too, so all of the urinary tract needs to be checked for tumors.

Other types of cancer can start in the bladder, but these are all much less common than urothelial transitional cell cancer. Seen with a microscope, the cells look much like the flat cells that are found on the surface of the skin. Nearly all squamous cell carcinomas of the bladder are invasive. These cancer cells have a lot in common with gland-forming cells of colon cancers. Nearly all adenocarcinomas of the bladder are invasive.

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Overview Female urinary system Open pop-up dialog box Close. Female urinary system Your urinary system — which includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra — removes waste from your body through urine. Male urinary system Open pop-up dialog box Close. Male urinary system Your urinary system — which includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra — removes waste from your body through urine.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Bladder cancer Open pop-up dialog box Close. Bladder cancer Bladder cancer develops when cells in the bladder begin to grow abnormally, forming a tumor in the bladder. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references AskMayoExpert. Bladder cancer adult. Mayo Clinic; Bladder cancer. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Accessed April 1, Partin AW, et al.