Stages, types and grades
There are different types of cancer that begin in the lining of the bladder. The name of each cancer type depends on the type of cells that become cancerous. Urothelial cancer is the most common type of bladder cancer.
Doctors describe bladder cancer based on how far it has spread into the bladder wall. You can have either:
non muscle invasive bladder cancer
muscle invasive bladder cancer
This means the cancer is only in the lining of the bladder. It has not grown into the deeper layers of the bladder wall. There are different types:
Non muscle invasive bladder cancer usually appears as small growths, shaped like mushrooms. These grow out of the bladder lining. This is called papillary bladder cancer. Your surgeon can remove these growths and they may never come back.
Unlike other non muscle invasive bladder cancers, areas of CIS are flat. They do not grow out of the bladder wall. In CIS the cancer cells look very abnormal and are likely to grow quickly. This is called high grade. It is more likely to come back than other types of non muscle invasive bladder cancer.
T1 tumours are early cancers that have grown from the bladder lining into a layer underneath. This layer is called the lamina propria. High grade T1 tumours are early cancers, but they can grow very quickly.
Find out more about non muscle invasive bladder cancer
Urothelial (transitional cell) bladder cancer can become invasive. This means it has grown into a deeper (muscle) layer of the bladder, or beyond.
Muscle invasive bladder cancer needs more intensive treatment than non muscle invasive bladder cancer. This is because there is a risk that it could spread to other parts of the body.
Metastatic bladder cancer means the cancer has spread from the bladder to another part of the body. It is also called advanced bladder cancer.
Your cancer might be metastatic when it is first diagnosed. Or it may have come back some time after you finished treatment. This is called recurrent or relapsed cancer.
Sometimes cancer that has started elsewhere in the body can spread to the bladder. This can happen with cancers of the prostate, rectum, ovary, cervix or womb for example.
Cancers that have spread from somewhere else in the body are called secondary cancers. The cancer cells are the same type as the first (primary) cancer. The treatment you have depends on the primary cancer.
If you have cancer that has spread to the bladder, you need to go to the section about your primary cancer.
Last reviewed: 19 May 2025
Next review due: 19 May 2028
There are different ways to stage bladder cancer. Your doctor might use the TNM system or number system (from 1 to 4). They may also use the terms non muscle invasive bladder cancer or muscle invasive bladder cancer.
The grade of a cancer means how abnormal the cells look under the microscope. It gives doctors an idea of how the cancer might behave.
The main symptom of bladder cancer is blood in your pee (urine). Other symptoms include problems passing urine, pain, feeling tired and weight loss.
You usually start by seeing your GP. Depending on your symptoms, they might refer you for tests or to see a specialist.
Your treatment options depend on the stage, type and grade of your bladder cancer. Treatments include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Go to the main page to find all the information we have about bladder cancer, including tests, treatment, research and support.
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