What Are the Common Causes of Bladder Cancer?

Actos and Bladder Cancer typically develops in the cells of the tissue that lines the inside of the bladder. The most common type of bladder cancer tumors are called papillary tumors, which are wart-like in appearance and grow from a \"stalk.\" In some cases, bladder cancer involves nonpapillary \"sessile\" tumors, which are less common but more invasive and difficult to treat, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC).

Information herein provided for informational purposes only, provided on behalf of the Actos and Bladder Cancer law firm of Goldberg & Osborne. Although the exact causes of bladder cancer are difficult to determine, scientists have linked this type of cancer to cigarette smoking, radiation and chemical exposure, and infections by parasites, according to the Mayo Clinic. These exposures can cause cells in the bladder to grow and divide in an atypical manner, developing mutations and causing the abnormal cells to grow to form tumors.

Cigarette smoking is one of the most common causes of bladder cancers, particularly in men, the UMMC notes. Approximately one-quarter of bladder cancer cases are caused by exposure to carcinogens, cancer-causing chemicals often prevalent in certain workplaces. Carcinogen exposure can occur while working in factories or similar facilities that manufacture, process or otherwise handle dyes, rubber, leather and aluminum. Truck drivers and workers who apply pesticides are also exposed to carcinogens.

Likewise, exposure to radiation can instigate the development of bladder cancer. In particular, women who have undergone radiation therapy to treat cervical cancer are at a higher risk of developing bladder cancer, the UMMC says. Finally, suffering chronic bladder infections or urinary-tract irritation could increase your risk for bladder cancer.

Transitional cell carcinoma is the most common type of bladder cancer in the United States and involves abnormal growth of transitional cells, which line the inside of your bladder, urethra and ureters, the Mayo Clinic states. Adenocarcinoma is rare in the United States and involves the cells of your bladder's mucus-secreting glands. More information can be found here.

Squamous cell carcinoma is also rare in the United States but is more common in countries where schistosomiasis infections are the typical cause of bladder infections, according to the Mayo Clinic. Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection, which triggers the growth of squamous cells in your bladder to combat the infection. When these squamous cells continue to grow over time, they can become cancerous.

Interestingly, a person with bladder cancer can have more than one type of cancer cell.

In addition to the possible causes, certain risk factors may increase your chances of developing actos lawsuit. Although both men and women, as well as people of all ages and races can develop bladder cancer, being over 40 years of age, white and male all increase your risks. In fact, bladder cancers are rare in people younger than 40 years old, the Mayo Clinic says.

Smoking tobacco increases your risk for bladder cancer, because the chemicals that enter your body and are excreted in your urine can damage your bladder lining. A family history of bladder cancer and prior treatment with the cancer drug cyclophosphamide or Cytoxan can increase your risks as well.

Goldberg & Osborne, a personal injury law firm, has provided this article for informational purposes only, written by an independent author, and has not reviewed or edited this article and is not responsible for its content or accuracy.