Can Bladder Cancer Travel To Kidneys?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

cancer has spread to blood vessels in or near the kidney (renal vein or vena cava), to the fat around the structures in the kidney that collect urine, or to the layer of fatty tissue around the kidney.

Is kidney and bladder cancer linked?

Bladder cancer most often begins in the cells (urothelial cells) that line the inside of your bladder.

Urothelial cells are also found in your kidneys and the tubes (ureters) that connect the kidneys to the bladder

. Urothelial cancer can happen in the kidneys and ureters, too, but it’s much more common in the bladder.

Where does bladder cancer usually spread to?

Not all bladder cancers will spread. But If it does it’s most likely to spread to

the structures close to the bladder, such as the ureters, urethra, prostate, vagina, or into the pelvis

. This is called local spread. Bladder cancer can also spread to another part of the body.

Where is the first place bladder cancer spreads?

Local bladder cancer metastasis

When bladder cancer spreads, it first invades

the bladder wall

, which is made up of four distinct layers. It can take some time for cancer to penetrate all of these layers, but once it has, it can then spread into the surrounding fatty tissues and lymph nodes.

What are symptoms of kidney or bladder cancer?

  • Blood in the urine (hematuria)
  • Low back pain on one side (not caused by injury)
  • A mass (lump) on the side or lower back.
  • Fatigue (tiredness)
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Weight loss not caused by dieting.
  • Fever that is not caused by an infection and that doesn’t go away.

Does bladder cancer spread quickly?

It is an early stage cancer but is always high grade. This means

it can grow quickly and might spread

. If you have bladder carcinoma in situ your doctor will start treatment straight away.

What are the 5 warning signs of bladder cancer?

  • Blood or blood clots in the urine.
  • Pain or burning sensation during urination.
  • Frequent urination.
  • Feeling the need to urinate many times throughout the night.
  • Feeling the need to urinate, but not being able to pass urine.
  • Lower back pain on 1 side of the body.

What is usually the first symptom of bladder cancer?

In most cases,

blood in the urine (called hematuria)

is the first sign of bladder cancer. There may be enough blood to change the color of the urine to orange, pink, or, less often, dark red.

Which is more common bladder cancer or kidney cancer?

The American Cancer Society estimates over 70,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with

bladder cancer

every year and about 58,000 new cases of kidney cancer are discovered. The earlier we find these genitourinary cancers, the better your chances of successful treatment.

How do I know if my bladder cancer has spread?

Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to make pictures of the organs inside your body, like your bladder and kidneys. It can help show the size of a bladder cancer and if it has spread. Bone scan: A bone scan can help show if bladder cancer has spread to the bones. This test is not done unless you have bone pain.

How long does it take for bladder cancer to metastasize?

As many as 50% of patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer may have occult metastases that become clinically apparent within

5 years of initial diagnosis

and around 5% will have distant metastasis at the time of initial diagnosis. Most patients with overt metastatic disease die within 2 years despite chemotherapy.

What happens in the final stages of bladder cancer?

When bladder cancer reaches stage 4,

the original tumor has often grown and pushed through the wall of the bladder

. Cancer cells may have spread to organs close to the bladder or those further away, such as the liver or lungs.

How do you feel with bladder cancer?


Frequent urination

. Pain or burning during urination. Inability to urinate. Feeling of urination urgency, even when the bladder isn’t full.

What is considered a large bladder tumor?

First, there is no common agreement regarding what size a bladder tumor constitutes a “large tumor.” In the literature, a large tumor has been variously defined as one with

a total resected weight > 50 g, a weight ≥15 g, and a diameter > 5 cm

[2-4].

Does bladder cancer show up on a CT scan?

Computed tomography (CT) scan


It can provide detailed information about the size, shape, and position of any tumors in the urinary tract, including the bladder

. It can also help show enlarged lymph nodes that might contain cancer, as well as other organs in the abdomen (belly) and pelvis.

What is kidney cancer pain like?

The type of back pain that signals kidney cancer can vary. It can feel like

pressure, a dull ache or a sharp pain

. See a doctor if you have any kind of sudden, persistent pain lasting more than a few days.

Is bladder cancer a terminal?


The general 5-year survival rate for people with bladder cancer is 77%

. However, survival rates depend on many factors, including the type and stage of bladder cancer that is diagnosed. The 5-year survival rate of people with bladder cancer that has not spread beyond the inner layer of the bladder wall is 96%.

Can you have bladder cancer for years 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

.

Can bladder cancer symptoms come on suddenly?

This is the most common symptom of bladder cancer.

It can happen suddenly and may come and go

. Your pee (urine) may look pink, red or sometimes brown. You may see streaks or clots of blood in it.

Is bladder cancer a death sentence?


Bladder cancer is not a death sentence

. With chemotherapy and a healthy lifestyle, many people have recovered and are enjoying life cancer-free. After years of successful treatment for bladder cancer, the medical industry has learned a lot about bladder cancer.

Where does bladder cancer hurt?

Bladder cancer can cause

lower back

pain when it reaches a more advanced form of the disease. The pain is typically only on one side of the back, but it can be centrally located. Lower back pain might occur once the tumors increase in size or cancer cells start to spread to other parts of your body.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.