Bladder cancer may occur at any age, but it is much more common in patients over 50 years old. However, advanced disease is much more difficult to treat. The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. Other symptoms include frequent urination, strong urges to urinate and burning during urination. But these symptoms are most often caused by bacterial infections or kidney stones.
Bladder cancer is diagnosed by a biopsy done during a cystoscopy.
Radiation and chemotherapy can increase the chances for local control, help control metastatic disease, and cure of the disease, but are usually not used as the main treatment.