Bladder cancer that is in an early stage of growth may not produce any visible signs or symptoms. The most common sign of BC is hematuria (bloody urine; urine that appears bright red or rusty) which is usually painless and may appear only occasionally over a period of months. More than 80% of all BC patients end up suffering from gross or microscopic hematuria. BC that becomes necrotic may excrete pieces of dead tissue in the urine. Papillary tissue fragments and calcium deposits are other forms of tumor-related material that may pass away with urine. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get the original essay Histology of Bladder Cancer: Among the different types of cells that form the bladder, the cells that line the inside of the bladder wall are most likely to develop cancer. Any of three different cell types can become cancerous. The resulting cancers are named after cell types. Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC): The most common is transitional cell carcinoma which accounts for more than 93% of all BC (Lynch and Cohen, 1995). So-called transitional cells are normal cells that form the innermost lining of the bladder wall. In TCC, these normal lining cells undergo changes that lead to uncontrolled cell growth; characteristic of cancer.Squamous Cell Carcinoma: These cancers arise from thin, flat cells that usually form as a result of inflammation or irritation of the bladder that has occurred over several months or years. Although it is the second most common form of BC, it accounts for only 2–5% of cases in industrialized countries (Lerner et al., 2006). They are more common in developing countries where a worm infection called bilharzia or schistosomiasis is widespread. By the time squamous BC is detected, it is usually in an advanced stage. Adenocarcinoma: These cancers form from cells that make up the glands. Glands are specialized structures that produce and release fluids such as mucus. This is a very rare type of BC and accounts for only 1–2% of all patients diagnosed with BC (Lynch and Cohen, 1995). The majority of adenocarcinomas are advanced at the time of diagnosis and generally do not respond to radiotherapy. However, all three types of cancer can develop anywhere in the urinary tract. Bladder Cancer Staging: Stage refers to the physical location of the tumor within the bladder or, more specifically, how deeply the tumor has penetrated. In general, tumor stage is limited to one of two categories: (1) superficial and superficial tumors or (2) invasive and deep spreading tumors. Superficial tumors only affect the bladder lining. They grow from the tissue lining the bladder and extend into the hollow cavity of the bladder. Invasive tumors develop in deeper layers of bladder tissue and may involve surrounding muscle, fat, and/or neighboring organs. Invasive tumors are more dangerous than superficial tumors because they are more likely to metastasize. The BC classification system was developed by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) (Sobin & Wittekind, 1997). TNM System: Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now.)..