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) lining the inside of your bladder. Urothelial cells are also found in your kidneys and the tubes (ureters) connecting the kidneys to the bladder.
Most bladder cancers are diagnosed at an early stage, when the cancer is highly treatable. But even early-stage bladder cancers can come back after successful treatment. For this reason, people with bladder cancer typically need follow-up tests for years after treatment to look for bladder cancer that recurs.
Bladder cancer signs and symptoms may include:
Back pain
Blood in urine (hematuria), which may cause urine to appear bright red or cola-colored
Frequent urination
Painful urination
Treatment options for bladder cancer depend on a number of factors, including the type of cancer, grade of the cancer and stage of the cancer, which are taken into consideration along with your overall health and your treatment preferences.
Not all treatments, tests and services are available at all Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Check with your preferred location in advance.