Bladder neoplasm

This is the malignant transformation of the cells of the bladder (hollow organ situated in the lower part of the abdomen where urine is stored). Smoking is considered to be the most important risk factor, although there are other risks, such as exposure in the working environment to certain toxic industrial materials, etc. The most frequent clinical manifestation is bleeding when urinating, pain when urinating and pain in the lower back. It is diagnosed by taking a detailed medical history, performing a full clinical examination, blood and urine tests, endoscopic examination, bladder biopsy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis, intravenous pyelogram and urography. There are different possible treatments, applied alone or in combination, surgical treatment, internal or external radiotherapy, chemotherapy and/or biological therapy (with bacillus Calmette-Guérin).