Bladder Cancer 

The bladder is a hollow organ that stores urine. The wall of the bladder has several layers. Cancer begins in the lining layer and grows into the bladder wall. As the cancer grows deeper into the layers of the wall of the bladder, it becomes necessary to consider a major surgical procedure which removes the bladder and is termed radical cystectomy.

Possible symptoms of bladder cancer include:
 Blood in the urine (making the urine slightly rusty to deep red). If the amount of bleeding is minimal, it will not be visible to the naked eye but can be found on a routine urinalysis which is performed as part of the urologist's general examination.
 Frequent urination or feeling the need to urinate without results.
 Pain during urination. 

These symptoms are not sure signs of bladder cancer as they occur with other conditions. Infections, benign growths, bladder stones or other problems can cause these symptoms, as well. If your doctor suspects you may have bladder cancer further testing will be required.
 
Bladder Cancer Resources
 Diagnostic Tools
 Treatment
 Sentara Cancer Network

This information for this section was compiled with help from the following Web sites. Please see them for more information on bladder cancer.
 National Cancer Institute
 American Cancer Society