Symptoms of bladder cancer can be difficult to distinguish from other noncancerous conditions. That’s why it’s important to see an expert if you experience any of the following signs and symptoms of bladder cancer:
- Blood in the urine, which may make your urine appear red or brownish
- Frequent urge to urinate, often with little or no result
- Lower back pain
- Pain while urinating
- Frequent bladder infections
Blood in the urine is one of the earlier, more visible symptoms of bladder cancer. This sign is one reason why doctors find most bladder cancers early, when they’re most treatable.
What causes bladder cancer?
The exact cause of bladder cancer isn’t always clear, but several risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing the disease, such as age and diet.
An accurate diagnosis from a trusted cancer specialist is essential for creating individualized treatment plans for bladder cancer. Our team uses advanced diagnostic tools to enhance the detection and treatment of bladder cancer.
Bladder cancer treatment at Penn Medicine
Successfully treating bladder cancer requires specialized expertise and training. Treatment options can include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, and other therapies. Our team of specialists stays updated with the latest research to develop a treatment plan tailored to achieve the best possible outcome.
Bladder cancer care: The Penn Medicine advantage
Whether you’ve been diagnosed with bladder cancer or are still waiting for answers, we want to help. At Penn Medicine, our experienced specialists work together to deliver innovative treatments and great results.
When you partner with us, you receive care from a team of nationally recognized bladder cancer experts. This care includes:
- Multidisciplinary approach: Bladder cancer can be complicated, and patients do better with care tailored to them. Our urologists, surgeons, and medical and radiation oncologists work together to create customized treatment plans. This team approach ensures that we consider every part of your health and choose the most impactful treatments.
- Bladder cancer expertise: Every member of our GU cancer team focuses only on treating GU cancers. We’re one of the few centers in the United States with a radiation oncologist who specializes in bladder cancer. Your care benefits from the knowledge we gain while treating many routine and complex bladder cancer cases. Our high level of expertise increases your chances of a great outcome.
- Bladder cancer clinical trials: Our bladder cancer specialists are active in muscle-invasive and non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer clinical trials. Their participation gives some patients additional treatment options when other methods don’t work.
- Convenient care and telemedicine appointments: You can securely connect with your doctor from anywhere you want through our Penn Connected Health Virtual Visit program. We also offer radiation and chemotherapy treatments at locations throughout the southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey regions, so you don’t have to travel far to get the right treatment.
- Patient support services: Successful cancer care involves more than your physical well-being. That’s why we offer emotional support and other resources. These services include home care through Penn Medicine At Home and a nurse-run bladder cancer support group. We also offer a wide range of cancer patient and family support services.
