Bladder cancer starts when the healthy cells that are present in the bladder lining change and develop beyond control, thereby creating a mass known as a tumor. A tumor can be benign or cancerous. A benign tumor can develop but it will not spread. However, such tumors are quite rare. On the other hand, a cancerous tumor can spread and grow to other body parts.

1. Risk factors
Some of the important risk factors associated with bladder cancer are:

• Family history and genetics
  People who have had family members suffering from bladder cancer are at a greater risk of developing this disease. Additionally, various genetic syndromes increase the probability of developing bladder cancer. These include Lynch syndrome, Cowden disease, and retinoblastoma gene.
• Infection with schistosomiasis
  Infection of a parasite called schistosomiasis can increase the probability of bladder cancer. This parasite is quite common in the Middle East, and Africa (particularly in Egypt).
• History of the disease
  If an individual has already suffered from bladder cancer in the past, he or she is likely to develop the disease again as compared to a person who has never been diagnosed with the illness.
• Gender
  Men are three times more prone to develop this condition as compared to women.
• Age
  Older people are at a greater risk of developing bladder cancer.

2. Types of bladder cancer
Listed below are a few types of bladder cancer that you should be aware of. These include:

• Sarcoma
  Sarcoma is an extremely rare form of bladder cancer. It starts in the bladder’s muscle layer.
• Small cell carcinoma
  Small cell carcinoma accounts for one percent of all bladder cancers. This type of bladder cancer begins in the nerve-like cells. These cells are known as neuroendocrine cells. Small cell carcinoma often develops rapidly. Usually, it can be treated with the help of chemotherapy.
• Adenocarcinoma
  This type of bladder cancer accounts for approximately one percent of all bladder cancers. Moreover, it is invasive. In this type, the cancer cells have many similarities with the gland-developing cells of colon cancers.
• Squamous cell carcinoma
  This form of bladder cancer accounts for nearly two percent of all bladder cancers in the country. The cancer cells, in this type, resemble fat cells, which are discovered on the skin’s surface. This type of bladder cancer is invasive.

Bladder cancer, if diagnosed at an early stage, can be cured easily. Look out for the risk factors and symptoms and research the other important types of bladder cancer in order to stay well-informed about the disease.