Being diagnosed with any blood cancer can be a scary state of affairs. However, the most important thing to always remember is that a bladder cancer diagnosis isn’t the end of life. It can be that turning point which can cause you to realize just how strong you are as a person. Moreover, with the right treatment, life goes back to being healthy. After a proper diagnosis, the next step is bladder cancer staging. The latter often determines the type of cancer one has as well as the variety of bladder cancer treatments they require. An estimated 90% of bladder cancer patients are over the age of 55-years old. However, that doesn’t mean anyone under that age bracket can’t be affected as 1 out of 27 men, and 1 out of 89 women is likely to develop bladder cancer. Here is an overview of the symptoms, stages, causes and types for bladder cancer:

1. Symptoms of bladder cancer
One should take any cancer with the seriousness it deserves irrespective of its prevalence level. It is therefore essential for everyone to familiarize themselves with the tell-tale symptoms and visit their doctor as soon as they persist. These symptoms may include the following:

• Nausea

• mouth sores

• Frequent infections

• Hair loss

• Constipation and diarrhea

2. Bladder cancer types
There are two critical types of bladder cancer transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and urothelial. If caught during the early stages, both types of cancer are highly treatable. However, if the diagnosis is late, then they can both be quite fatal. There are two main types of TCC, which include:

• Flat carcinomas/flat carcinoma in situ (CIS)/non invasive flat carcinoma grows in the inner layer of the bladder layers while the papillary carcinomas grow from the inner layers of the bladder to the hollow center.
• Papillary carcinoma is also referred to as the non-invasive papillary cancers and barely turn malignant.
• The other less common types of bladder cancers include adenocarcinoma (1%), squamous cell carcinoma (1-2%), sarcoma (a sporadic form of bladder cancer), small cell carcinoma (less than 1%).

3. Causes of bladder cancer
Even though the cause of bladder cancer remains unknown, most people who have bladder cancer happen to be heavy tobacco users. Most oncologists also believe that bladder cancer is as a result of genetic mutations as bladder cancer staging has revealed over time. Certain industrial chemicals can also result in the development of bladder cancer.

4. Stages and treatments for bladder cancer
A correct bladder cancer diagnosis is what will dictate the right bladder cancer treatments. Cancer, or bladder cancer to be specific, appears in five stages namely: stage 0,1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Treatment is through chemotherapy and surgery.

5. Conclusion
Going for a checkup is usually necessary as being aware of the early symptoms of blood cancer. That way, catching the ailment in its initial stages goes a long way in managing it as opposed latching it after further development. After verifying your condition and doing so accurately, your doctor can advise you accordingly on the way forward as far as the treatment goes.