{"id":5313,"date":"2024-12-11T11:43:56","date_gmt":"2024-12-11T10:43:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/irccs.com\/patologie\/bladder-tumors\/"},"modified":"2026-06-11T16:22:46","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T14:22:46","slug":"bladder-tumors","status":"publish","type":"pathology","link":"https:\/\/irccs.com\/en\/pathology\/bladder-tumors\/","title":{"rendered":"Bladder Tumors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/span>Pathology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bladder cancer<\/strong> results from the malignant transformation of cells in the bladder<\/strong>, the organ that stores urine before it is expelled from the body<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 90% of cases<\/strong>, it is a urothelial carcinoma<\/strong>, meaning it originates from the cells of the urothelium<\/strong>, the tissue that lines the inside of the urinary tract<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This cancer is strongly associated with cigarette smoking<\/strong>, occurs most frequently between the ages of 60 and 70<\/strong>, and affects men nearly four times more often than women<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Numbers in Italy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bladder cancer<\/strong> accounts for approximately 7% of all newly diagnosed cancers<\/strong>, making it the second most common urological malignancy after prostate cancer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the 2023<\/strong> AIRTUM registry<\/a><\/strong> (Italian Association of Cancer Registries) report<\/strong>, approximately 31,016 new cases of bladder cancer<\/strong> were diagnosed in Italy, including 25,227 men<\/strong> and 5,789 women<\/strong>. These figures represent 11.4% of all newly diagnosed cancers in men<\/strong> and 3.2% in women<\/strong>, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Transitional cell urothelial carcinoma<\/strong> accounts for approximately 90% of all bladder cancers<\/strong>. It may present as a superficial tumor<\/strong> (about two-thirds of cases<\/strong>) or as an infiltrating form<\/strong> (muscle-invasive disease<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other, less common histological types include adenocarcinoma<\/strong> and primary squamous cell carcinoma<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The clinical behavior of bladder cancer<\/strong> is highly variable, with significant differences in aggressiveness<\/strong>, risk of recurrence<\/strong>, and potential for metastatic spread<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Symptoms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bladder cancer<\/strong> may present with symptoms that are also common to other urinary tract disorders<\/strong>. The most frequent sign is blood in the urine (hematuria)<\/strong>, which may be accompanied by blood clots<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other possible symptoms include burning during urination<\/strong>, pain in the bladder region<\/strong>, difficulty or pain while urinating<\/strong>, and increased susceptibility to urinary tract infections<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Risk Factors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Risk Factors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The main risk factors for bladder cancer<\/strong> include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n