Bladder Cancer Symptoms

Nearly all bladder cancers cause some degree of blood in the urine. Early, small bladder cancers cause blood only detected by lab analysis (microscopic hematuria), while larger tumors cause bleeding that can be seen with urination. Any blood in the urine should be discussed with your doctor and consider evaluation by a urologist. This bleeding may occur only once. It can be hard sometimes to determine if this is due to infection, sexual intercourse or menstruation. Other symptoms of bladder cancer include:

• Difficulty with urination, including a slow, weak or interrupted flow
• Decreased urination
• Frequent urination
• Erectile dysfunction (loss of ability to have an erection)
• Weight loss or weakness
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Pain or stiffness in the hips, lower back, ribs or upper thighs, in advanced cases
• These symptoms can often be caused by other conditions

This content is provided by the National Cancer Institute (www.cancer.gov)