Dr Leslie Gellman

Bladder Cancer

Basic information on Bladder Cancer

What is the function of the bladder?

The urinary bladder (referred to as ‘the bladder’) is the organ that collects and stores urine produced by the kidneys. It is a hollow stretchy bag made of muscle tissue that sits on the pelvic floor muscles. The bladder expands as urine from the kidneys collects before being passed out of the body through the urethra. 

What is bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer is the growth of abnormal tissue (tumour) in the bladder. There are several stages of bladder cancer. Your treatment and experience will depend on the specific characteristics of the tumour (referred to as “staging” the tumour) and the expertise of your medical team. The sections in this series provide general information about bladder cancer, diagnosis, and various treatment options. Discuss with your doctor what is best in your individual situation.

What causes bladder cancer?

Several biological factors and harmful substances can increase the risk of developing bladder cancer. A higher risk does not necessarily mean that someone gets cancer. Sometimes bladder cancer develops without any known cause. Stages of the disease A tumour that grows towards the centre cavity of the bladder without growing into the muscle tissue of the bladder is called .... 

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