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Bladder Cancer
UCLA Advantages
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| Bladder Cancer Brochure Download and Print (PDF) |
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Patient Profile: Adam Schaffer 
Adam Schaffer is convinced his then six-year-old son, Hayden, saved his life. It was Thanksgiving weekend in 2005 and the Schaffers were visiting his parents near San Diego. |
UCLA's Bladder Cancer Program is a multidisciplinary comprehensive program offering the latest treatments for bladder cancer and compassionate care, and is affiliated with the Institute of Urologic Oncology and the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. UCLA has a long-held team approach to treating bladder cancer that includes urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists and clinical trial nurses that allows for specialized perspectives for deciding upon the best option for each individual patient.
Bladder Cancer Overview
Bladder cancer is marked by the formation of malignant cells in the tissues of the bladder, the organ where urine is stored.
The bladder is an organ located in the lower abdomen used to store urine. The urine travels from the kidneys to the bladder by two paired tubes called ureters. Bladder cancer occurs when uncontrolled growth and malignancy develops from cells originating from the bladder lining or urothelium. Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and the eighth most common cancer in women. According to the American Cancer Society’s 2009 statistics, more than 70,000 new cases of bladder cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year, and the current annual death toll exceeds 14,000.
Real Questions/Real Answers Video
View our doctors answering questions about bladder cancer »
Types of bladder cancer:
- Transitional cell carcinoma – More than 90 percent of bladder cancers in the United States are classified as this form of bladder cancer. Transitional cell carcinoma arises from the bladder’s inner lining or urothelium.
- Squamous cell carcinoma – This type of bladder cancer involves the thin, flat cells of the bladder. Squamous cell carcinoma is usually associated with chronic inflammation and can be caused by a parasitic infection (Schistosoma haematobium which is not found in the United States ) and comprises about 8 percent of bladder cancer cases.
- Adenocarcinoma – This form of bladder cancer begins in the cells that release mucus and other fluids and can arise from remnants of the umbilical cord.
Incidence - Risk Factors
There are a number of variables or risk factors associated with bladder cancer:
- Age
As a person ages, his or her chances of developing bladder cancer increases. It most commonly develops in the 60- to 80-year old age group, although it can occur in people as young as in the 20’s. - Smoking
A person who smokes has a two to three time greater risk of developing bladder cancer than a non-smoker. - Certain Professions
People who work in an environment where they are exposed to carcinogens (substances that cause cancer) are more likely to get bladder cancer. Professions with the greatest risk are those that require the person to work with rubber, certain dyes, textiles, paint, and hairdressing supplies. - Some Anti-cancer Drugs
Cyclophosphamide and arsenic (used for treating cancer) can increase the risk of bladder cancer. - Race
Caucasians are twice as likely to develop bladder cancer than African Americans and Hispanics. - Gender
It has been shown that bladder cancer in men is two to four times more likely to occur than bladder cancer in woman. - Family History
Having a family member who has had bladder cancer increases a person’s likelihood of developing the disease. - Personal History
A person who has had bladder cancer is more likely to get the disease again than a person who has not had bladder cancer.
Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network
The next patient forum, “Understanding Bladder Cancer,” will take place on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at the Luxe Hotel Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. The forum is aimed at patients, family members, and caregivers.
- Forum Informational Flyer (PDF)
- Bladder Cancer Basics for the Newly Diagnosed (PDF)
- More at http://www.bcan.org
Fall Newsletter
Advances in Bladder Cancer Treatment Improve Patients’ Lives.
Alumni Spotlight, Donor Spotlight, BPH UDA Study and more.
