Types:

• urothelial carcinoma (80-90%) (aka transitional cell carcinoma): starts in the urothelial cells in the bladder wall's innermost layer
• squamous cell carcinoma (1-2%): begins in the thin, flat cells that line the bladder
• adenocarcinoma (1%): starts in mucus-producing cells, likely to be invasive.

Risk Factors

• smoking tobacco
• older age
• being male
• workplace exposure to certain chemicals (amines, benzene products and aniline dyes)
• use of the chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide
• previous radiation therapy to the pelvic area
• diabetes treatment using the drug pioglitazone
• family history
• chronic urinary tract infections.

Clinical Features

• Painless haematuria
• weight loss/fatigue