Identifying Types of Bladder Cancer for Patients in Connecticut, Maryland, and New Jersey

For many patients, bladder cancer develops with symptoms like bloody urine, pain while urinating, discomfort in the pelvic region, and more. Some patients, however, don’t notice any signs or symptoms until the disease progresses. But the types of bladder cancer are not named for their symptoms – rather, they are categorized by the location in which they develop, including:

Urothelial carcinoma

This type, formerly known as transitional cell carcinoma, is the most common form of bladder cancer in America. It originates in the urothelial cells, located in the inside lining of the bladder, ureters, and urethra. These cells contract when the bladder is empty and expand when it’s full, and when cancer is present, they divide rapidly and form tumors.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Though rare in the United States, squamous cell carcinoma is commonly found in patients who have experienced chronic irritation of the bladder. This may come after frequent urinary tract infections, long-term urinary catheter use, or bladder infections caused by schistosomiasis, a type of parasitic infection.

Adenocarcinoma

Also rare in the U.S., this type of bladder cancer originates in glandular (secretory) cells found in the bladder’s mucus-secreting glands. These cells are also found elsewhere in the body, including the breast, lung, prostate, and colon.

Sarcoma

This form of cancer develops in the bladder’s layers of muscle or fat. Although it’s among the least common types of bladder cancer, about one-third of patients who have it discover the cancer in its advanced (and more difficult-to-treat) stages.

Small cell

Small cell bladder cancer is rare, but it’s likely to metastasize (spread to other areas). It’s also more likely than other bladder cancer types to be diagnosed at a later stage.