The most common symptoms of bladder cancer involve urinary function, although other complications can occur if the cancer spreads. It’s not uncommon for bladder cancer to metastasize to the lungs, liver or bones. This can cause pain and other symptoms in distant parts of the body. In many cases, metastatic bladder cancer also causes general complications such as fatigue and weight loss.
What happens if bladder cancer spreads to the liver?
If bladder cancer spreads to the liver, it can make it difficult for the liver to produce bile, break down fat cells and filter toxic substances out of the body. This can lead to jaundice, discolored urine and abdominal pain and swelling.
What happens if bladder cancer spreads to the lungs?
If bladder cancer spreads to the lungs, the resulting tumors can make it difficult to breathe. People with lung metastases may also develop a chronic cough, chest pain and voice changes.
What happens if bladder cancer spreads to bones?
Cancer that spreads to bones can weaken the bones and make them more prone to breakage. Bone metastases can also be painful, especially at night and during activity.
Metastatic bladder cancer treatment
Without a professional evaluation, it can be difficult to know if the symptoms you’re experiencing are the result of bladder cancer or something else. While it’s important not to panic – most of these issues can be caused by other, less serious conditions – it’s also important to talk with an expert if you notice something out of the ordinary. The earlier that bladder cancer is detected, the more treatment options you’re likely to have.
Medically Reviewed by,Scott Gilbert, MD, Department of Genitourinary Oncology.
At Moffitt Cancer Center, we offer a comprehensive range of bladder cancer tests and treatments, welcoming patients with all stages of the condition. If you’d like to have your symptoms evaluated by an oncologist who specializes in metastatic bladder cancer, call 1-888-663-3488 or submit a new patient registration form online to request an appointment. No referral is required to consult with our team.
FAQs
It's not uncommon for bladder cancer to metastasize to the lungs, liver or bones. This can cause pain and other symptoms in distant parts of the body. In many cases, metastatic bladder cancer also causes general complications such as fatigue and weight loss.
How do you know if bladder cancer has metastasized? ›
It's not uncommon for bladder cancer to metastasize to the lungs, liver or bones. This can cause pain and other symptoms in distant parts of the body. In many cases, metastatic bladder cancer also causes general complications such as fatigue and weight loss.
What is the biggest symptom of bladder cancer? ›
The most common symptom is blood in the urine, called hematuria. It's often slightly rusty to bright red in color. You may see blood in your urine at one point, then not see it again for a while. Sometimes there are very small amounts of blood in the urine that can only be found by having a test done.
What is the red flag for bladder cancer? ›
Blood in the urine is the most common symptom of bladder cancer. Around 80 out of 100 people with bladder cancer (around 80%) have some blood in their urine. Doctors call blood in the urine haematuria (pronounced heem-at-you-ree-ah). You may see the blood in your urine.
Where does bladder cancer metastasis first? ›
Conclusion: Lymph nodes, bones, lung, liver, and peritoneum are the most common sites of metastasis from bladder cancer. Tumors in a more advanced T category and those with atypical histologic features metastasize earlier.
What hurts when you have bladder cancer? ›
Pain in flank, the section of the back between the ribs and the hip bone. Painful urination. Frequent urination. Urinary hesitancy, or difficulty beginning to urinate.
How long does it take for bladder cancer to metastasis? ›
It typically doesn't spread very quickly. However, other types of bladder cancer, such as adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and small cell carcinoma, spread much faster. In most cases, treatment, if started early enough, can prevent the spread of bladder cancer.
What is the most common first symptom of a malignant tumor of the bladder? ›
For most people, the first symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine, also called hematuria.
Do you feel unwell with bladder cancer? ›
If your bladder cancer has spread you might: have bone, back or tummy pain. feel very tired (fatigue) feel generally unwell.
How long can you have bladder cancer and not know it? ›
Even after reporting the problem to their doctors, blood in the urine may be initially misdiagnosed. It may be seen as a symptom of post-menopausal bleeding, simple cystitis or a urinary tract infection. As a result, a bladder cancer diagnosis can be overlooked for a year or more.
Cxbladder provides greater confidence, reducing the need for further invasive procedures. Cxbladder Detect is a test designed to rule out urothelial bladder cancer in those experiencing blood in urine (hematuria).
Where is the back pain with bladder cancer? ›
Back pain. Pain may start in your pelvic region, but as it worsens, you may feel pain that radiates into your lower back. Back pain associated with bladder cancer is often felt on one side of the body. You may also experience pain you feel in your bones.
At what stage does bladder cancer bleed? ›
Blood may be present one day and absent the next, with the urine remaining clear for weeks or even months. But if a person has bladder cancer, at some point the blood reappears. Usually, the early stages of bladder cancer (when it's small and only in the bladder) cause bleeding but little or no pain or other symptoms.
What is typically the only indication that one might have bladder cancer? ›
Bladder cancer signs and symptoms may include: Blood in urine (hematuria), which may cause urine to appear bright red or cola colored, though sometimes the urine appears normal and blood is detected on a lab test. Frequent urination. Painful urination.
What is the most aggressive type of bladder cancer? ›
Muscle invasive bladder cancer
This means it has grown into a deeper (muscle) layer of the bladder, or beyond. Muscle invasive bladder cancer needs more intensive treatment than non muscle invasive bladder cancer. This is because there is a risk that it could spread to other parts of the body.
How long can you live with bladder cancer that has spread? ›
5-year relative survival rates for bladder cancer
| SEER Stage | 5-year Relative Survival Rate |
|---|
| In situ alone Localized | 96% 71% |
| Regional | 39% |
| Distant | 8% |
| All SEER stages combined | 78% |
Jan 17, 2024
The dying person will feel weak and sleep a lot. When death is very near, you might notice some physical changes such as changes in breathing, loss of bladder and bowel control and unconsciousness. It can be emotionally very difficult to watch someone go through these physical changes.
How often does bladder cancer metastasis? ›
About 1 in 3 bladder cancers have spread into deeper layers of the bladder wall but are still only in the bladder. In most of the remaining cases, the cancer has spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes outside the bladder. Rarely (in about 5% of cases), it has spread to distant parts of the body.
What stage is metastatic bladder cancer? ›
Stage IV bladder cancer is also called metastatic bladder cancer. Metastatic cancer happens when cancer cells travel through the lymphatic system or blood and form tumors in other parts of the body. The metastatic tumor is the same type of cancer as the primary tumor.
