Get a clearer picture of bladder cancer.
Diagnosis and what to expect
See how doctors diagnose bladder cancer.
Bladder cancer often begins in the inner lining of the bladder. It may first appear as blood in the urine as or other urinary changes.
To make a diagnosis, your doctor will likely perform tests such as a cystoscopy, which allows them to look inside the bladder, and a biopsy to collect a small tissue sample.
Have you asked about biomarker testing?
Biomarker testing can help your care team design a treatment plan tailored to you. We’ll help you build a discussion guide you can take to your next visit.
Not all bladder cancers are the same.
Once diagnosed, doctors look at where the cancer started and certain features to determine the type. They may further determine type through biomarker testing.
While treatment usually depends on the cancer's stage, factors like biomarkers and the specific cancer type also play a role.
Here are some of the types you may hear about.
Types of bladder cancer
Doctors often describe bladder cancer based on the type of cells where the cancer begins.
Urothelial carcinoma
About 90% of bladder cancers are urothelial carcinoma. These cancers begin in the bladder’s inner lining, called the urothelium, and are also known as transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).
Other types of bladder cancer
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Adenocarcinoma
- Small cell carcinoma
- Sarcoma
How the cancer has grown
Doctors also group bladder cancer based on how deeply it has grown into the bladder wall.
Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC)
Cancer that has not grown into the muscle layer of the bladder wall. NMIBC is the most common form of bladder cancer and is often treated with procedures and therapies delivered directly into the bladder.
Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC)
Cancer that has grown into the muscle layer of the bladder wall. MIBC often requires more aggressive treatment because the cancer has grown into the bladder muscle.
Understand bladder cancer stages.
A stage defines how far the cancer has grown or spread, from early-stage to more advanced.
The TNM system helps determine the stage. It looks at tumor size (T), whether cancer is in lymph nodes (N), and whether it has spread to other parts of the body, or metastasized (M).
You may also hear about the cancer’s grade. A grade describes how normal or abnormal the cancer looks. Normal-looking cancers tend to be less aggressive, and grow more slowly, than abnormal-looking cancers.
Knowing your stage and grade helps you understand your cancer and helps guide your doctor’s treatment decisions.
Stage 0
Abnormal cells are found only in the inner lining of the bladder. This stage is also considered non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and may also be called carcinoma in situ cancer.
Stage 1
Cancer has grown into the connective tissue beneath the inner bladder lining but has not yet reached the bladder muscle. This stage is still considered NMIBC.
Stage 2
Cancer has grown into the muscle layer of the bladder wall. This is called muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).
Stage 3
Cancer has spread beyond the bladder muscle into nearby tissues and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes
Stage 4
Cancer has spread to distant parts of the body. This is called metastatic bladder cancer.
Ways to work with your care team
From questions to clarity, your doctor can help.
Diagnosis, testing, and treatment types can bring lots of questions. We can help prepare you to get the most out of your conversations.
Get answers about your diagnosis.
- What type of cancer do I have?
- Has it spread or grown?
- What stage is my cancer?
Talk about your treatment plan.
- What types of treatment are used for my cancer?
- If biomarker testing was done, how do the results impact my treatment plan?
- What are the goals of my treatment plan?
Ask about support and resources.
- What support services are available?
- Who can help me navigate care and next steps?
- Who on my care team can I reach out to when I have questions?
We’re committed to helping you afford your Pfizer prescriptions.
From co-pay cards to help navigating insurance approvals, we’ll guide you to the right support. And if you’re eligible for our programs, we’ll help you get the Pfizer medicines you need.
You could help advance a breakthrough.
Clinical trials study the safety and efficacy of potential new medicines, including cancer treatments.
Living with cancer
Get a little inspiration.
I want to make it a positive experience. And hopefully when my son is an adult he'll look back and be proud of the way his mom handled it.”
Lindsay
Actual patient with CRC
When I'm playing music, my mind is occupied with what I'm doing, so it can't be occupied with thinking about my cancer.”
Billy
Actual patient with cancer
