Bladder cancers—which include urothelial carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and sarcoma—can have several contributing risk factors. However, the exact causes aren’t fully understood.

If healthy cells in your urinary bladder grow out of control and form a tumor or abnormal mass of tissue, you may develop bladder cancer.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, nearly 18,000 females and nearly 58,000 males were diagnosed with bladder cancer in the United States in 2021, the year with the most recent statistics.

While anyone can get bladder cancer, certain risk factors, like older age and being assigned male at birth, may increase the likelihood of developing this type of cancer.

This article provides an overview of the causes and risk factors of bladder cancer, including what leads to the progression to the advanced stage.

While the exact causes aren’t fully understood, experts agree several factors may increase the risk of developing bladder cancer.

Some causes are out of your control. But others, like smoking, are lifestyle factors you can change to decrease the risk of developing bladder cancer.

Understanding the causes of bladder cancer may help you identify risk factors and alert you to early warning signs.

Smoking

Tobacco use is a significant risk factorTrusted Source for developing bladder cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

In fact, it’s the leading preventable cause of bladder cancer, with cigarette smoking being the highest tobacco risk. About halfTrusted Source of all bladder cancers have smoking as the leading risk factor, per the American Cancer Society.

Tobacco smoke is full of chemicals that can damage the lining of the bladder. Over time, this exposure can lead to the development of cancerous cells.

Advanced age

You can develop bladder cancer at any age, but it’s more common when you’re older. The American Cancer Society says that the majority of people with bladder cancer are over age 55Trusted Source, with the average age of diagnosis being 73.

Being assigned male at birth

The American Cancer Society (ASC) estimatesTrusted Source that about 12,640 men will die from the disease in 2025, compared to about 4,780 women.

Family history of bladder cancer

If you have a family member with bladder cancer, you may be at an increased risk of developing the disease. This may be caused by exposure to similar cancer-causing chemicals like those found in tobacco or an industrial setting.

You may also share the same changes in genesTrusted Source that make it difficult to break down certain toxins, according to the American Cancer Society. Although, unlike other cancers, bladder cancer doesn’t often run in families.

Exposure to certain chemicals

Frequent exposure to certain cancer-causing chemicals, including dyes, rubber, leather, textiles, paint, and printing material can increase your risk of developing bladder cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, exposure is most commonTrusted Source in the workplace, especially in industrial settings that use certain organic chemicals.

Beyond the risk factors above, there are others to be aware of, including:

  • having chronic bladder infections and irritations, including kidney and bladder stones, and urinary infections
  • taking certain medications or previous chemotherapy with a drug called Cytoxan
  • having had radiation to treat cancer in the pelvis
  • consuming arsenic in drinking water (not a significant factor in the United States)
  • not drinking enough water
  • being white
  • having a history of bladder cancer

Like other cancers, some people diagnosed with bladder cancer have no identifiable risk factors. On the other hand, some people considered “high risk” may never develop the disease.

That’s why it’s important to maintain good overall health and seek medical attention if you experience symptoms such as blood in the urine or frequent urination.

When diagnosed and treated early, bladder cancer has a favorable survival rate.

That said, if the disease is untreated, resistant to treatments, or spreads, it may progress to an advanced stage. This typically happens when the cancer cells grow and invade the deeper layers of the bladder wall or spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs.

Your doctor will likely assign a stage at the time of diagnosis. Bladder cancer stages include stages 1, 2, 3, and 4. Stage 4 is the most advanced form and is often referred to as metastatic bladder cancer.

At stage 4, the cells travel through the lymphatic system and form tumors in other areas of the body. While it’s not one of the deadliest forms of cancer, it can still lead to death.

Several factors contribute to advanced-stage bladder cancer. But some contribute to the progression and increase the risk of mortality more than others. They include:

  • delayed diagnosis
  • stage at diagnosis
  • risk factors like smoking
  • older age
  • recurrent tumors
  • high-grade tumors

Several risk factors like smoking, age, gender, and exposure to certain chemicals can raise your chances of developing bladder cancer. While some are preventable, others you can’t change. That’s why it’s critical to maintain a healthy lifestyle and see your doctor for regular screenings.

Early detection and treatment of bladder cancer can help prevent its progression to an advanced stage.