It usually appears suddenly, without pain, and is often associated with the increased need to urinate. The exact cause of bladder cancer is not known, but some associations have been made. Because the urinary tract carries waste product from the body, it comes in contact with a number of foreign substances, some of which are cancer-causing agents. The greatest risk factor is the tar from cigarettes, which places smokers at twice the risk of developing bladder cancer. The key to curing bladder cancer is detecting it early.
Treatment often involves a combination of surgery and other therapies.
Larger tumors may require more intense surgery, with chemotherapy or radiation therapy used to kill any remaining cells.