Bladder cancers must be classified in three different ways – cell type, stage and grade. Knowing the cell type, grade, and stage of bladder cancer is essential in planning the right treatment.

Localization and Characteristics

Most often bladder cancer is found in the trigone, the lateral walls and the posterior wall. Bladder cancer is found to be multifocal in 30% of cases by time of diagnosis.

Bladder cancer is found to be growing superficially in 75-85% of all cases. These superficial - or papillary - tumors are staged Tis, Ta and T1. By time of diagnosis, 15-25% have already invaded muscle tissue and are staged T2-T4. If bladder cancer spreads, it usually spreads first to the pelvic lymph nodes. Bladder cancer also tends to spread to the lungs, liver, and bones.

Reference:

Oosterlink, W., Lobel, B., Jaske, G., Malmström, P.U., Stöckle, M., Sternberg, C. (2002).
Guidelines on Bladder Cancer. European Urology; 41: 105-112.