Bladder Cancer Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

Bladder cancer is a type of cancer called carcinoma that most often occurs in the inner lining of the bladder. The disease is caused by abnormal cellular growth leading to a malignant tumor. The most common sub-type of bladder cancer is transitional cell carcinoma (also called urothelial carcinoma), which develops in the urothelial cells that line the inner walls of the bladder. Doctors can often diagnose bladder cancer in the early stages when it is highly treatable. Identifying the signs is key to early detection, treatment, and recovery.

1. Blood in the urine

Blood in the urine or hematuria is the most common, and often the first, sign of bladder cancer. It occurs when the tumor inside the bladder is bleeding. The bloody urine may be bright red, orange, or pink and occur regularly or intermittently. Blood particles might also be microscopic and detected only in a urinalysis ordered by a doctor. In the early stages of bladder cancer, blood in the urine could be the only sign.