what is the first sign of bladder cancer

Symptoms

 · 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.

Causes

 · For most people, the first sign of bladder cancer is finding blood in the urine. The technical term for this condition is hematuria. There are two different types of hematuria. Gross hematuria: Gross hematuria means you can see the blood in your urine, which may appear pink, red, or brownish in color.

Prevention

Blood in the urine is usually the first warning sign of bladder cancer; however, it is also associated with a number of benign medical problems such as urinary tract infection, kidney/bladder stones, and benign tumors, and does not mean a person has bladder cancer. Unfortunately, the blood is often invisible to the eye.

Complications

Blood in Urine is Often the First Sign of Bladder Cancer You could potentially have bladder cancer if you notice blood that appears pink, orange, or dark red in your urine. However, some people present with other symptoms first because their urine color continues to remain normal.

Do you know the early signs of bladder cancer?

Irritation, Pain, or Burning while Urinating Any pain while urinating could be a sign of bladder cancer. Urgency Bladder cancer can cause a feeling of needing to urinate immediately, even though the bladder is not full. Frequency The need to urinate often may be caused by bladder cancer. Having to Urinate at Night

What are the early warning signs of 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 When to …

What are the symptoms of end stage bladder cancer?

Urgent need to urinate Urination urgency, or feeling like you must pee immediately, can be a sign of bladder cancer. This can happen even when your bladder is not full. If you experience this (it can happen to men and women), we strongly recommend that you go see your primary doctor, or a urologist. Feeling the need (but unable) to pass urine

How do you detect bladder cancer?

 · Bladder cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when cells in the bladder become abnormal and grow out of control. Warning signs of bladder cancer include: Blood in the urine ( hematuria ) Often the first sign of bladder cancer. Urine may appear pink, orange, or, less often, dark red. Bladder irritation.

See more

 · Bladder cancer is among the top 10 most common cancer types in the world, with approximately 573,000 new cases annually. Men are statistically more likely to develop bladder cancer than women, and …

What are the 5 warning signs of bladder cancer?

Here are five warning signs to watch for:Blood in the urine (hematuria). This is the most common early symptom of bladder cancer and typically the first sign of bladder cancer that is seen. … UTI-like symptoms. … Unexplained pain. … Decreased appetite. … Postmenopausal uterine bleeding.

Do bladder cancer symptoms come on suddenly?

The symptoms of bladder cancer can come on suddenly or develop over time. The most common presentation is the onset of painless blood in the urine. What are the common warning signs of bladder cancer? By far, the most common warning sign of bladder cancer is blood in the urine (hematuria).

Which of the following is usually the first symptom of bladder cancer?

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.

Can bladder cancer be detected with a urine test?

Urinalysis can help find some bladder cancers early, but it has not been shown to be useful as a routine screening test. Urine cytology: In this test, a microscope is used to look for cancer cells in urine. Urine cytology does find some cancers, but it’s not reliable enough to make a good screening test.

How long can you have bladder cancer and not know it?

Even after reporting the problem to their doctors, blood in the urine may be initially misdiagnosed. 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.

Which of the following is the most common symptom of cancer of the bladder?

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.

How do you feel when you have bladder cancer?

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. Having to get up to urinate many times during the night.

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…

Where does bladder cancer begin?

Most bladder cancers start in the innermost lining of the bladder, which is called the urothelium or transitional epithelium. As the cancer grows into or through the other layers in the bladder wall, it has a higher stage, becomes more advanced, and can be harder to treat.

How does a urologist check for bladder cancer?

Cystoscopy. If bladder cancer is suspected, most doctors will recommend a cystoscopy. . A urologist uses a cystoscope, which is a long, thin, flexible tube with a light and a lens or a small video camera on the end.

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 painful is a cystoscopy?

People often worry that a cystoscopy will be painful, but it does not usually hurt. Tell your doctor or nurse if you feel any pain during it. It can be a bit uncomfortable and you may feel like you need to pee during the procedure, but this will only last a few minutes.

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.

What is the first sign of bladder cancer?

Blood in the urine. For most people, the first sign of bladder cancer is finding blood in the urine. The technical term for this condition is hematuria. There are two different types of hematuria. Gross hematuria: Gross hematuria means you can see the blood in your urine, which may appear pink, red, or brownish in color.

What is the most common symptom of bladder cancer?

Given that hematuria is the most common symptom of bladder cancer, and often the first warning sign, it’s important to seek a definite diagnosis if you notice you have red, pink, or brownish colored urine.

How long does hematuria last?

The hematuria may even disappear for periods of weeks or even months in some cases.

What to do if you have bladder cancer?

If you’re experiencing any of the warning signs of bladder cancer it’s essential to consult your doctor. If your symptoms continue to persist after your first appointment, or if new symptoms arise, be sure to arrange a follow-up visit.

How long does bladder cancer last?

This is reflected in the 5-year survival rate for bladder cancer. This rate refers to the estimated percentage of bladder cancer patients who would be expected to survive the effects …

How many people have bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer is the tenth most common cancer worldwide 1. On a global basis, approximately 1 in 100 men and 1 in 400 women will develop bladder cancer during their lifetime 2. Rates of the disease vary by region, the highest occurring in North America and Europe. In the United States, where bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer type …

What is the procedure to look inside the bladder?

Cystoscopy, which involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a light and lens (a ‘cystoscope’) into your urethra to look inside the bladder. This procedure is usually performed when bladder cancer is suspected. Diagnostic imaging techniques, such as ultrasound, CT scan, MRI scan, and x-ray.

What are the symptoms of bladder cancer?

The most common symptoms of bladder cancer include the following: Blood in the urine ( hematuria) Pain or burning during urination without evidence of urinary tract infection.

What is it called when you have a red urine color?

This is called microscopic hematuria, and it is detectable with a simple urine test. In some cases, enough blood is in the urine to noticeably change the urine color, gross hematuria. The urine may have a slightly pink or orange hue, or it may be bright red with or without clots.

What is it called when you have blood in your urine?

Visible blood in the urine is referred to as gross, or macroscopic, hematuria. Bladder cancer often causes no symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage that is difficult to cure. Therefore, you may want to talk to your health-care professional about screening tests if you have risk factors for bladder cancer.

Is blood in urine a sign of bladder cancer?

Blood in the urine is usually the first warning sign of bladder cancer; however, it is also associated with a number of benign medical problems such as urinary tract infection, kidney/bladder stones, and benign tumors, and does not mean a person has bladder cancer. Unfortunately, the blood is often invisible to the eye.

Can you get bladder cancer from smoking?

People who can see blood in their urine (gross hematuria), especially older males who smoke, are considered to have a high likelihood of bladder cancer until proven otherwise.

Can bladder cancer cause a change in urine?

In most cases, bladder cancer is not the cause, but you will be evaluated for other conditions that can cause these symptoms , some of which can be serious.

How long does bladder cancer last?

According to the American Cancer Society, bladder cancer in situ has a five-year survival rate of 96 percent. In situ means that the cancer remains only in the cells where it originally started. This drops to 70 percent when the cancer cells remain within the bladder, 36 percent when cancer spreads to nearby lymph nodes or nearby structures, and only five percent when it spreads to other parts of the body such as the bones, liver, or lungs. These figures only underscore the critical importance of early and accurate detection of bladder cancer, something that is much more likely with BLC than other types of diagnostic equipment.

What happens if you have blood in your urine?

You could potentially have bladder cancer if you notice blood that appears pink, orange, or dark red in your urine. However, some people present with other symptoms first because their urine color continues to remain normal. Only trace amounts of blood appear when they complete a urinalysis test at the doctor. It is also common for the blood to appear sporadically. You may have discharge one day, nothing for several days, and then discharge again for many days in a row. You could even have clear urine for months.

Is bladder cancer difficult to diagnose?

As the sixth leading type of cancer in the United States, bladder cancer can be difficult to diagnose and treat. It also has a high rate of recurrence, especially when detected late or not treated correctly. In this blog, we discuss the most typical symptoms of bladder cancer and introduce you to our revolutionary new diagnostic tool Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLC).

Can you panic about bladder cancer?

We offer the same advice here that we stated with earlier symptoms of bladder cancer. Do not panic, but be sure to schedule an appointment in the urology department at UHC as soon as possible.

Can bladder cancer cause bleeding?

It is not common to experience other symptoms at this early stage of bladder cancer. Try not to panic if you do spot blood because there could be another explanation such as an infection, kidney stones, or a benign tumor. The only way to know for sure what is causing the bleeding is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Grant Franklin, Jr. or Dr. Viacheslav Iremashvili at UHC Urology.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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) …

Blood in urine (hematuria)

The most common clinical sign of bladder cancer is painless gross hematuria, blood in the urine that can easily be seen.

Painful urination

Pain when urinating, urgency, frequency and a constant need to urinate may be symptoms a bladder cancer patient initially experiences. Oftentimes, though, these are merely symptoms of a urinary tract infection and antibiotics become the first line of treatment.

Urgent need to urinate

Urination urgency, or feeling like you must pee immediately, can be a sign of bladder cancer. This can happen even when your bladder is not full. If you experience this (it can happen to men and women), we strongly recommend that you go see your primary doctor, or a urologist.

Feeling the need (but unable) to pass urine

Sometimes, the urgent need to urinate is accompanied by the inability to empty your bladder. Again, the need but inability to urinate is likely to be cause by something other than bladder cancer, but it is still very important to get checked out by your doctor.

Abdominal pain

When you experience pain in your abdomen that comes and goes or does not go away.

Lower back pain

Pain in your lower back that does not feel the same as a pulled muscle or disk problems.

How would I know if I had bladder cancer?

Only a doctor can confirm or rule out bladder cancer. Learn how doctors diagnose and monitor bladder cancer.

What are the symptoms of bladder cancer?

Warning signs of bladder cancer include blood in the urine (hematuria), bladder irritation, urinary frequency, changes in bladder habits, pain or burning during urination, difficulty urinating, urinating multiple times during the night (nocturia), and others.

What is bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when cells in the bladder become abnormal and grow out of control.

What is the physical exam for bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer is diagnosed with a physical examination which may involve a digital rectal exam (DRE) and in women, a pelvic exam.

What is the most common treatment for bladder cancer?

Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) or a transurethral resection (TUR) is the most common treatment for early-stage or superficial (non-muscle invasive) bladder cancers