Urothelial carcinoma, the most prevalent kind of bladder cancer, originates from the urothelial cells lining the bladder’s interior. Common symptoms of bladder cancer include back discomfort, frequent and painful urination, and blood in the urine (hematuria). Additionally, the term “stage” refers to the phase at which a cancer has spread across the muscle wall of the urinary bladder (muscle invasive vs. non-muscle invasive) and body. Understanding the cancer’s stage is vital for selecting the best treatment approach and evaluating its extent. When choosing a cancer treatment plan and estimating the chances of success, the disease’s stage is a pivotal factor to consider.
A
Urothelium Lining
B
Lamina Propria
C
Detrusor Muscle
D
Fat
E
Peritoneum
F
Stage 0
• The tumor is only found in the inside surface of the tissue lining of the urinary bladder.
G
Stage I
• The tumour has grown through the inner lining and the connective tissue layer (lamina propria) of the bladder.
H
Stage II
• The cancer is still isolated to the urinary bladder but has spread through the connective tissue and into the thick muscle wall of the bladder.
I
Stage III
• The tumour has spread throughout the muscle wall and into the fatty layer of tissue surrounding the urinary bladder. It can also be found in nearby lymph nodes.
J
Stage IV
• Also called metastatic cancer, this stage has spread beyond the bladder and to distant sites such as the pelvic wall, abdominal wall, lymph nodes or other parts of the body, such as the common iliac artery, lungs, bones and/or the liver.
K
Urinary Cancer: Treatment
• Treatment choices for patients with bladder cancer can vary depending on the cancer’s stage and other factors.The following is a description of the most common forms of bladder cancer treatment.
L
Surgery
M
Chemotherapy
N
Radiation Therapy
O
Immunotherapy