what are the symptoms of bladder cancer in women

Symptoms

Bladder cancers that have grown large or have spread to other parts of the body can sometimes cause other symptoms, such as: Being unable to urinate Lower back pain on one side Loss of appetite and weight loss Feeling tired or weak Swelling in the feet Bone pain

Causes

 · A burning sensation during urination may be present, as may increases in both the frequency and urgency of urination. Symptoms of late-stage bladder cancer in women include flank pain, a distended bladder and discomfort in the bones or other parts of the body. Blood in the urine is a common symptom of bladder cancer.

Prevention

Pain Burning Frequent urination Incomplete emptying of the bladder Passage of tissue fragments in urine (less frequent than other symptoms) The presence of one or all of these signs does not mean you have cancer, but you should be seen by a physician, as these are abnormal bodily functions.

Complications

 · The most common early symptoms of bladder cancer (increased urination, urgency, blood in the urine) mirror those of a UTI. Doctors sometimes believe a woman’s symptoms are due to a UTI, without confirming an infection. 17 If your doctor suspects you have a UTI, make sure a urine culture confirms the presence of a bacterial infection.

What are the first signs and symptoms of bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer may wake you up at night with an overwhelming need to urinate. Fatigue. Fatigue is a common symptom of many different types of cancer, including bladder cancer. Flank Pain. Pain between the abdomen and back on one side of the body could be a symptom of bladder cancer. Loss of Appetite. Bladder cancer may make it uncomfortable to eat or make you feel …

What are signs of female bladder cancer?

 · The most common early symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. The blood either may be visible to the naked eye or only able to be seen under a microscope. Other common symptoms include painful urination, increased frequency or urgency to urinate, needing to urinate in the middle of the night, and pain in one side of the lower back.

Do you know the early signs of bladder cancer?

Confusion about symptoms – Many symptoms of bladder cancer are similar to those of bladder infections. This includes blood in the urine, pain while urinating, increased urination frequency, and urinating at night. Ignoring blood in the urine – Blood in the urine can occur during menstruation or menopause.

Can you spot the signs of bladder cancer?

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What is usually the first symptom of bladder cancer?

In most cases, blood in the urine (called hematuria) is the first sign of bladder cancer. There may be enough blood to change the color of the urine to orange, pink, or, less often, dark red.

Where does bladder cancer hurt?

Bladder cancer can cause lower back pain when it reaches a more advanced form of the disease. The pain is typically only on one side of the back, but it can be centrally located. Lower back pain might occur once the tumors increase in size or cancer cells start to spread to other parts of your body.

What are the symptoms of bladder cancer in a female?

SymptomsBlood in urine (hematuria), which may cause urine to appear bright red or cola colored, though sometimes the urine appears normal and blood is detected on a lab test.Frequent urination.Painful urination.Back pain.

Which is the most common symptom of bladder cancer?

Blood in your urine is the most common symptom of bladder cancer. The medical name for blood in your urine is haematuria and it’s usually painless. You may notice streaks of blood in your urine or the blood may turn your urine brown. The blood isn’t always noticeable and it may come and go.

What are the signs that something is wrong with your bladder?

Some common signs and symptoms of bladder issues include:Bladder leakage.Pain or a burning sensation during urination.Cloudy urine.Persistent, strong urge to urinate.Urinating frequently in small amounts.Frequent urination (more than eight times during the day or more than two times at night)Urine that smells strong.More items…

How do I find out if I have bladder cancer?

Tests for bladder cancer look for different substances and/or cancer cells in the urine. Urinalysis: One way to test for bladder cancer is to check for blood in the urine ( hematuria). This can be done during a urinalysis, which is a simple test to check for blood and other substances in a sample of urine.

Do you feel ill with bladder cancer?

Nausea and vomiting. Burning or pain when you urinate, feeling the need to go often, or blood in urine. Diarrhea. Feeling tired.

Can you have bladder cancer for years without knowing?

It may be seen as a symptom of post-menopausal bleeding, simple cystitis or a urinary tract infection. As a result, a bladder cancer diagnosis can be overlooked for a year or more.

Does bladder cancer show up in blood tests?

Tests to diagnose bladder cancer If bladder cancer is suspected, these tests may be performed to diagnose the disease: Physical exam. Blood test: Blood samples are used to measure certain substances released into the blood by organs and tissues in the body.

Does bladder cancer feel like UTI?

Bladder cancer can be mistaken for a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) because many of the symptoms overlap. Patients may experience increased frequency and urgency of urination, pain with urination, or urinary incontinence.

What is the main cause of bladder cancer?

Smoking. Smoking is the single biggest risk factor for bladder cancer. This is because tobacco contains cancer-causing (carcinogenic) chemicals. If you smoke for many years, these chemicals pass into your bloodstream and are filtered by the kidneys into your urine.

Do you feel bloated with bladder cancer?

Abdominal Pain The types of pains can vary and include: Generalized pain — felt in more than half of the stomach area. Cramp-like pain — less serious and most likely due to bloating and gas.

How do you know if you have bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer signs and symptoms may include: Blood in urine (hematuria), which may cause urine to appear bright red or cola colored, though sometimes the urine appears normal and blood is detected on a lab test. Frequent urination. Painful urination. Back pain.

What type of cancer is a bladder cancer?

Types of bladder cancer include: Urothelial carcinoma. Urothelial carcinoma , previously called transitional cell carcinoma, occurs in the cells that line the inside of the bladder. Urothelial cells expand when your bladder is full and contract when your bladder is empty.

What is the most common type of bladder cancer?

Urothelial carcinoma is the most common type of bladder cancer in the United States. Squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma is associated with chronic irritation of the bladder — for instance, from an infection or from long-term use of a urinary catheter. Squamous cell bladder cancer is rare in the United States.

What is the male urinary system?

Male urinary system. Your urinary system — which includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra — removes waste from your body through urine. Your kidneys, located in the rear portion of your upper abdomen, produce urine by filtering waste and fluid from your blood. Bladder cancer is a common type …

Why are men more likely to get bladder cancer than women?

Men are more likely to develop bladder cancer than women are. Exposure to certain chemicals. Your kidneys play a key role in filtering harmful chemicals from your bloodstream and moving them into your bladder. Because of this, it’s thought that being around certain chemicals may increase the risk of bladder cancer.

How does bladder cancer develop?

Bladder cancer develops when cells in the bladder begin to grow abnormally, forming a tumor in the bladder. Bladder cancer begins when cells in the bladder develop changes (mutations) in their DNA. A cell’s DNA contains instructions that tell the cell what to do.

Where does bladder cancer start?

Bladder cancer is a common type of cancer that begins in the cells of the bladder. The bladder is a hollow muscular organ in your lower abdomen that stores urine. Bladder cancer most often begins in the cells (urothelial cells) that line the inside of your bladder. Urothelial cells are also found in your kidneys and the tubes (ureters) …

What are the symptoms of bladder cancer?

Being unable to urinate. Lower back pain on one side. Loss of appetite and weight loss. Feeling tired or weak. Swelling in the feet. Bone pain. Again, many of these symptoms are more likely to be caused by something other than bladder cancer, but it’s important to have them checked.

Why is bladder cancer so early?

Bladder cancer can often be found early because it causes blood in the urine or other urinary symptoms that cause a person to see a health care provider.

Why do I have trouble peeing?

Having to get up to urinate many times during the night. These symptoms are more likely to be caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI), bladder stones, an overactive bladder, or an enlarged prostate (in men).

How long does urine stay clear after bladder cancer?

Blood may be present one day and absent the next, with the urine remaining clear for weeks or even months. But if a person has bladder cancer, at some point the blood reappears.

Can bladder cancer cause a change in urination?

Bladder cancer can sometimes cause changes in urination, such as: Having to urinate more often than usual. Pain or burning during urination. Feeling as if you need to go right away, even when your bladder isn’t full. Having trouble urinating or having a weak urine stream.

How do you know if you have bladder cancer?

Flank pain may also occur if the urine is unable to flow from the kidney to the bladder as the result a tumor blocking its way. Additionally, some women may notice pain in other areas of the body, such as the bones, once the cancer has spread. To avoid enduring these signs of late-stage bladder cancer in women, women are advised to see a doctor if they notice the initial symptoms, so they can get tests done to determine whether the issue is cancer or a simple infection.

What does it mean when you have blood in your urine?

Blood in the urine is a common symptom of bladder cancer.

Do women with bladder cancer have lower survival rates than men?

Women who are diagnosed with bladder cancer have lower survival rates than men.

How to tell if you have bladder cancer?

Be sure to report them to your physician immediately. The most common sign—blood in the urine— can be visible (though it may sometimes appear dark brown or orange) but could also only be detected under a microscopic examination.

Can you get bladder cancer twice as often as non smokers?

Smokers get bladder cancer twice as often as non-smokers . • Bladder cancer symptoms may be identical to those of a bladder infection and the two problems may occur together. If symptoms do not disappear after treatment with antibiotics, insist upon further evaluation to determine whether bladder cancer is present.

Does bladder cancer cause a burning sensation?

Most bleeding associated with bladder cancer is painless. Close to 30 percent of bladder cancer patients experience burning, frequent urination or a sensation of incomplete emptying when they urinate. If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible.

Is bladder cancer treatable?

Awareness is the key: in most cases, bladder cancer is treatable, but prompt diagnosis is critical .

Can bladder cancer be misdiagnosed?

Even after reporting the problem to their doctors, blood in the urin e may be initially misdiagnosed. It may be seen as a symptom of post-menopausal bleeding, simple cystitis or as a urinary tract infection. As a result, a bladder cancer diagnosis can be overlooked for a year or more.

Is bladder cancer more prevalent in men?

Bladder cancer has long been considered a disease of older men. Though it is more prevalent in men, studies have shown that women are more likely to present more advanced tumors. Women often have a worse prognosis than men at almost every stage of the disease.

Is bladder cancer a manageable disease?

The good news is that in most cases, if caught early, bladder cancer is a manageable disease. There are tens of thousands of women bladder cancer survivors living today. Read their stories

What is the first symptom of bladder cancer?

Bladder Cancer Symptoms. For most people, the first symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine, also called hematuria. Sometimes the blood is visible, prompting the patient to visit a doctor. Other times, blood is microscopic and is only discovered during either a routine lab test or one that was ordered after the patient reported other …

Do you have to be seen for bladder cancer?

The presence of one or all of these signs does not mean you have cancer, but you should be seen by a physician, as these are abnormal bodily functions. Sometimes those diagnosed with bladder cancer do not experience any bleeding or pain. That’s why routine screening and physicals are very important.

How to diagnose bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer is typically diagnosed by reviewing a patient’s health history and physical symptoms. 10 Your doctor will also perform a physical exam of the pelvis to look for an abnormal mass. For women, this means a recto-vaginal exam .

What is the most common type of bladder cancer?

Urothelial carcinoma ( transitional cell carcinoma): Urothelial carcinoma is by far the most common type of bladder cancer, accounting for over 90% of all cases. 6 This cancer starts when the urothelial cells that line the bladder start to grow out of control. Urothelial cells also line other parts of the urinary tract. If you are diagnosed with bladder cancer, your entire urinary tract will be checked for tumors.

How many people will die from bladder cancer in 2021?

Bladder cancer is three to four times more common in men than in women. The American Cancer Society estimated the diagnosis of 64,280 new cases in men and 19,450 new cases in women in 2021 in the United States, and that bladder cancer would cause 12,260 deaths in men and 4,940 deaths in women. 1

How often does bladder cancer recur?

Even after complete remission is achieved, bladder cancers recur up to 80% of the time . 16 For low-grade cancers, women have a higher risk of recurrence than men. 14 Ongoing monitoring after having bladder cancer is required.

How long does bladder cancer last?

When diagnosed early, bladder cancer is highly treatable. The average five-year survival rate for bladder cancer is 77%.

What age group is most likely to get bladder cancer?

Age is the most important risk factor. Over 90% of bladder cancers occur in those over age 55, and 80% occur in those 65 and older. 9

What does it mean when you have blood in your urine?

Blood in the urine ( hematuria) is the most common early sign of bladder cancer . The blood may affect the urine’s color, giving it a faintly pink or tea-colored cast, or it may appear bright red.

What are the symptoms of bladder cancer?

Listen to surgeon Bernard Bochner discuss some of the most common symptoms of bladder cancer. Blood in the urine (hematuria) is often the most common sign of bladder cancer. There are other symptoms to watch for as well.

Can blood be seen in urine?

Hematuria often occurs without pain or other urinary symptoms. Blood may not be present in the urine all the time — it may come and go. If blood is not visibly noticeable, it may be detected by a urine test.

Can bladder cancer wake you up at night?

Bladder cancer may wake you up at night with an overwhelming need to urinate.

Can bladder cancer make you uncomfortable?

Bladder cancer may make it uncomfortable to eat or make you feel like you don’t want to eat at all.

Early Symptoms of Bladder Cancer

In the earliest stages of bladder cancer, most people do not have symptoms. When early symptoms do occur, they can have many other potential causes that are more likely than bladder cancer. Early symptoms include:

Later Symptoms of Bladder Cancer

Other symptoms are much less common or may occur later during bladder cancer. Some of these symptoms may be due to the spread of a bladder cancer to other regions of the body, and include: 4

Bladder Cancer in Men vs. Women

Bladder cancer is 3 to 4 times more common in people assigned male at birth than in people assigned female at birth. 5

Complications

There are very few complications during the earliest stages of bladder cancer. These may include: 4

When to See a Healthcare Provider

There are currently no guidelines or recommendations for screening people at risk of bladder cancer, including those who have significant risk factors. Clinical trials are ongoing to see if screening may detect bladder cancer early in some populations. 9

Summary

The most common early symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. The blood either may be visible to the naked eye or only able to be seen under a microscope. Other common symptoms include painful urination, increased frequency or urgency to urinate, needing to urinate in the middle of the night, and pain in one side of the lower back.

A Word From Verywell

Catching bladder cancer in the earliest stages greatly increases your chance for a cure.

How many women get bladder cancer?

Some people refer to bladder cancer as an “old man’s cancer.” After all, it is the 4th leading type of cancer in men. However, about 20,000 women are diagnosed with bladder cancer each year. 1

What is the biggest risk factor for bladder cancer?

Smoking is the biggest risk factor for bladder cancer. Other risk factors for women include: 4

What kind of doctor can treat bladder cancer?

Request a referral to a specialist. A urologist might not be the best type of doctor to treat bladder cancer. Instead, look for a urologic oncologist who can order tests and recommend treatments. Treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and surgery. Surgery can involve removing a portion of or all of your bladder.

Can bladder cancer cause pain?

Confusion about symptoms – Many symptoms of bladder cancer are similar to those of bladder infections. This includes blood in the urine, pain while urinating, increased urination frequency, and urinating at night.

Is bladder cancer an older disease?

Lack of awareness – Many people still think of bladder cancer as an older man’s disease. The average age at diagnosis in men is 73. This lack of awareness may lead women to dismiss their symptoms and concerns.

Can bladder cancer be treated early?

You should see a doctor if you have blood in the urine that does not go away within a few days. Bladder cancer can affect women of any age and is usually treatable when caught early. 3,4