Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffBladder cancer signs and symptoms may include:
- Blood in urine (hematuria) — urine may appear dark yellow, bright red or cola colored; or urine may appear normal, but blood may be detected in a microscopic examination of the urine
- Frequent urination
- Painful urination
- Urinary tract infection
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you, such as blood in your urine.
References
- What you need to know about bladder cancer. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/bladder/allpages. Accessed Feb. 17, 2010.
- Bladder cancer treatment (PDQ): Health professional version. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/bladder/healthprofessional/allpages/print. Accessed Feb. 17, 2010.
- Smith DC, et al. Carcinoma of the bladder. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:1635.
- Bladder and other urothelial cancers screening (PDQ): Health professional version. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/bladder/healthprofessional/allpages/print. Accessed Feb. 17, 2010.
- Bladder cancer. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/bladder.pdf. Accessed Feb. 17, 2010.
- Guideline for the management of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (stages Ta, T1 and Tis): 2007 update. Linthicum, Md.: American Urological Association. http://www.auanet.org/content/guidelines-and-quality-care/clinical-guidelines.cfm?sub=bc. Accessed Feb. 23, 2010.
- Messing EM. Urothelial tumors of the bladder. In: Wein AJ, et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/185270227-3/0/1445/0.html. Accessed Feb. 23, 2010.
- La Rochelle J, et al. Chemoprevention of bladder cancer. BJU International. 2008;102:1274.
- Boehrn K, et al. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) for the prevention of cancer. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2009:CD005004.
- Busby JE, et al. Chemoprevention for bladder cancer. The Journal of Urology. 2006;176:1914.
- Castle EP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz. March 7, 2010.

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