Bladder cancer

Symptoms of bladder cancer

Blood in your urine is the most common symptom of bladder cancer.

The medical name for this is Urine, blood in the and it's usually painless. You may notice streaks of blood in your urine or the blood may turn your urine brown. The blood isn't always noticeable and it may come and go.

Less common symptoms of bladder cancer include:

a need to urinate on a more frequent basis
sudden urges to urinate
a burning sensation when passing urine

If bladder cancer reaches an advanced stage and begins to spread, symptoms can include:

pelvic pain
bone pain
unintentional weight loss
swelling of the legs

When to seek medical advice

If you ever have blood in your urine even if it comes and goes you should visit your GP, so the cause can be investigated.

Having blood in your urine doesn't mean you definitely have bladder cancer. There are other, more common, causes including:

a urinary tract infection ,such as cystitis
a kidney infection
kidney stones
urethritis
an enlarged prostate gland ,in men

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 30 Nov 2016

Articles for bladder cancer

Introduction

Bladder cancer is where a growth of abnormal tissue, known as a tumour, develops in the bladder lining. In some cases, the tumour spreads into the surrounding muscles.

Symptoms of bladder cancer

Blood in your urine (haematuria) is the most common symptom of bladder cancer.

Causes of bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is caused by changes to the cells of the bladder. It's often linked with exposure to certain chemicals, but the cause isn't always known.

Diagnosing bladder cancer

If you have symptoms of bladder cancer, such as blood in your urine, you should see your GP.

Treatment for bladder cancer

The treatment options for bladder cancer largely depend on how advanced the cancer is.

Complications of bladder cancer

A diagnosis of bladder cancer, and some treatments for the condition, can have a significant impact on your life.

Preventing bladder cancer

It's not always possible to prevent bladder cancer, but some risk factors have been identified, which may increase your risk of developing the condition.

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