Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

Bladder cancer

6-minute read

Key facts

  • Bladder cancer happens when abnormal cells in the bladder grow and divide in an uncontrolled way.
  • Bladder cancer risk factors include smoking, some types of chemotherapy and exposure to certain chemicals.
  • The most common sign of bladder cancer is blood in your urine.
  • Bladder cancer may be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiotherapy.

What is bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer develops when abnormal cells in the bladder grow and divide in an uncontrolled way.

The bladder is a small organ in the lower part of the stomach that stores urine. Most bladder cancers start in the lining of the bladder. When cancer affects only the inner bladder lining, it is called non-invasive cancer. If the cancer spreads into the deeper layers of the bladder lining or the bladder wall, it is harder to treat and more likely to spread.

The cancer cells can spread to the muscle wall of the bladder or even further to lymph nodes or other organs.

Bladder cancer is usually easier to treat if it is found at an early stage.

What are the types of bladder cancer?

The most common form of bladder cancer is called urothelial carcinoma (or transitional carcinoma). This starts in the urothelial cells in the inner lining of the bladder.

There are other types of bladder cancer, which are rarer:

  • Squamous cell carcinoma starts in thin flat cells that line the bladder.
  • Adenocarcinoma starts in a type of cell that produces mucus in the bladder.

What are the symptoms of bladder cancer?

The most common sign of bladder cancer is blood in your urine. It usually happens suddenly but isn't painful. If you notice blood in your urine, you should always see your doctor.

Other symptoms of bladder cancer include:

  • having trouble emptying your bladder when you go to the toilet
  • a burning feeling or pain when you're trying to pass urine
  • needing to pass urine often
  • pain in your lower stomach or back

What causes bladder cancer?

We don't fully understand why bladder cancer develops in some people.

Some factors can increase the risk, including:

How is bladder cancer diagnosed?

Your doctor will examine you and may refer you for some tests, including:

A common test used to diagnose bladder cancer is called a cystoscopy. During a cystoscopy, the doctor — usually a specialist doctor called a urologist — looks inside your bladder with a small camera. If they see anything worrying, they will take a biopsy (a small sample of tissue) to be checked in a laboratory.

How is bladder cancer treated?

Your treatment will depend on the type of bladder cancer and how far it has spread.

A surgery called a 'transurethral resection' may be done using a cystoscope with a wire loop at the end. The cancer cells can also be burned off or treated with laser during surgery.

Some types of bladder cancer can be treated with immunotherapy. This is medicine used to stimulate your own immune system to fight the cancer.

Chemotherapy medicine is sometimes used, and can be delivered straight into the bladder through a catheter. Some people can also have radiotherapy to treat bladder cancer.

If the cancer has spread, part or all of your bladder may need to be removed with surgery. Your doctor may also remove some lymph nodes and any other affected organs. If your bladder is removed, a new 'bladder' for urine to be stored may be made for you using part of your bowel. In other cases, urine may pass through an opening in your abdomen to collect in a bag outside your body. This is known as a urostomy.

Living with bladder cancer

If your bladder is removed and you have a urostomy, it can take time to adjust. Help and support is available from your doctor, urology nurses, stomal therapists and physiotherapists.

Bladder cancer and its treatment may also affect your bowel function, sexual function and mental health. Ask your healthcare team about what you can do to relieve any symptoms and cope with the changes.

Many people feel anxious or distressed after being diagnosed with cancer. If you are struggling, it is important to seek support from your doctor, a therapist or other people who have been through cancer.

Resources and support

For more information and support, try these resources:

Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?

  • General information from NSW Health about cancer is available online in many community languages.

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: October 2023


Back To Top

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Top results

Bladder cancer - Better Health Channel

Bladder cancer affects twice as many men as women.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Bladder Cancer - Cancer Council Victoria

Understand bladder cancer with an overview of non-muscle-invasive and muscle invasive tumours. Read More.

Read more on Cancer Council Victoria website

Bladder Cancer Treatment - Targeting Cancer

Learn more about bladder cancer and find out about the different treatments available.

Read more on Radiation Oncology Targeting Cancer website

Bladder cancer | Causes, Symptoms & Treatments | Cancer Council

What is bladder cancer? Find out about the symptoms, causes, treatment options and more. Get the facts from Cancer Council here

Read more on Cancer Council Australia website

What are the symptoms of bladder cancer? | Cancer Australia

The most common symptoms of bladder cancer are: blood in the urine (haematuria) or a sudden change1 in urine colour – slightly rusty to bright red2 feeling the need to urinate immediately or passing urine frequently pain or a burning feeling during urination pain in the pelvis, lower abdomen or lower back – this is less common3. Many conditions can cause these symptoms, not

Read more on Cancer Australia website

Rare Cancers Australia - Bladder Cancer

Cancer that forms in tissues of the bladder (the organ that stores urine).

Read more on Rare Cancers Australia website

Gall Bladder (Bile Duct) Cancer Diagnosis & Symptoms - Cancer Council Victoria

This page provides an overview about gall bladder or bile duct cancer, including types, symptoms, risk factors & diagnosis.

Read more on Cancer Council Victoria website

Bladder cancer | Cancer Institute NSW

It is a rare cancer which affects more men than women and is more common in people over the age of 60 years

Read more on Cancer Institute NSW website

Understanding genitourinary cancer | Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Genitourinary cancers is a specialised field focusing on cancers found in the urinary system and the male reproductive system. These include prostate cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, testicular cancer and cancers of the penis.

Read more on Peter Mac - Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre website

Leukaemia - Targeting Cancer

About Radiation Oncology What is Radiation Oncology? What is Radiation Therapy? Benefits and Effectiveness Side Effects of Radiation Therapy Treatment Process Radiation Oncology Team Radiation Oncologists Radiation Therapists Radiation Oncology Medical Physicists Radiation Oncology Nurses GPs/Health Professionals FAQs Costs of radiation therapy in Australia Useful Resources Radiation Therapy External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) Particle Therapy Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) Brachytherapy Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer Brachytherapy for Cervix Cancer Brachytherapy for Uterine Cancer Treatment By Cancer Type Benign Disease Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) Pituitary Adenoma Meningioma Thyroid Eye Disease Vestibular Schwannoma (Acoustic Neuroma) Bladder Cancer Brain Cancer Breast Cancer Cervix Cancer Colorectal Cancer Head and Neck Cancer Leukaemia Liver Cancer Lung Cancer Lymphoma Oesophageal Cancer Pancreatic Cancer Palliative Treatment Prostate Cancer Sarcomas Skin Cancer and Melanoma Stomach Cancer Thyroid Cancer Upper Gastro-Intestinal Cancer Uterine Cancer Our Stories Supporter Statements Patient Stories Treatment Team Videos about Radiation Therapy Talking To Your Doctor Leukaemia Leukaemia is a cancer of blood-forming tissues, including bone marrow

Read more on Radiation Oncology Targeting Cancer website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Queensland Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.