Symptoms of Bladder Cancer

The symptoms for bladder cancer are not specific. Many other diseases, including inflammatory conditions, involving the bladder and kidney may cause similar symptoms. However, since early detection is important in curing bladder cancer, if you have these symptoms, you should bring them to the attention of your doctor.

The most common first symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine called hematuria. Hematuria is either visible or microscopic.

• Gross hematuria describes urine that appears red or brown and can be seen with the naked eye
• Microscopic hematuria means the red blood cells are visible if a urine sample is examined under a microscope

Irritative urination symptoms may also be associated with bladder cancer and include:

• pain and burning on urination,
• a sense of incomplete emptying of the bladder after urination and
• having to urinate more frequently or at shorter intervals.