BLADDER CANCER

Anatomy

The bladder is a hollow, muscular, balloon-like organ that collects and stores urine. It is in the lower part of the abdomen (the pelvis). Urine consists of water and waste products not needed by the body. The bladder is lined with a urine-proof membrane which stops the urine being absorbed back into the body. The cells of this membrane are called transitional cells or urothelial cells, and the lining membrane is called the urothelium.

The two kidneys produce urine, which is carried to the bladder by two tubes called ureters. The bladder stores the urine, and when it is full enough, nerve signals are sent to the brain. To get rid of the urine, the muscle of the bladder contracts, forcing the urine out of the body through a tube called the urethra.

In women, the urethra is a very short tube in front of the vagina. In men the tube is longer and passes through the prostate gland and the penis.

Bladder cancer spreads by extending into the nearby organs, including the prostate, uterus, vagina, ureters, and rectum. It can also spread to the pelvic lymph nodes or to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs and bones