BLADDER CANCER

What is Bladder Cancer?

Bladder cancer is a general term for several types of malignant tumours in the bladder. It is the 9th most common cancer globally with approximately 260,000 new cases diagnosed each year. In 2005, over 63,000 new cases were diagnosed in the United States, while in Europe; there are over 130,000 new cases of bladder cancer per year; in Canada, there are an estimated 6,500 new cases annually.

The terms “non-invasive” and “superficial” bladder cancer refer to transitional cell carcinomas that are limited to the bladder wall and have not penetrated the adjacent muscle layer. A superficial tumour that projects towards the lumen is considered “papillary”, while a flat tumour that is confined to the cell layers and does not project outward is called ”carcinoma in situ” (CIS) (sometimes also referred to as “tumour in situ” (TIS)). The term “invasive” refers to transitional cell carcinomas that have invaded into the muscle of the bladder wall.

Glossary

Transitional cell carcinoma - A type of cancer that develops in the lining of the bladder, ureter, or renal pelvis (the part of the kidney that collects, holds, and drains urine).