Let's Know about Bladder Cancer Bladder cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the bladder, a hollow organ responsible for storing urine before it is excreted from the body. This cancer develops when the cells lining the inner surface of the bladder begin to grow uncontrollably, forming a mass or tumor. While some bladder tumors are non-cancerous (benign), others are cancerous (malignant) and can potentially invade nearby tissues and, in advanced cases, spread to other parts of the body. Several factors can increase the risk of developing bladder cancer, including smoking, exposure to certain industrial chemicals, age (it becomes more common as people get older), gender (men are more often affected than women), a family history of bladder cancer, and a history of chronic bladder irritation or recurring urinary tract infections. The most prominent and easily recognizable symptom of bladder cancer is hematuria, which means blood in the urine. This blood can make the urine appear pink, red, or sometimes even brown. Other common symptoms include experiencing a frequent need to urinate, discomfort or pain during urination, lower back pain, and, in more advanced cases, feeling fatigued and unintentional weight loss.