Bladder Cancer Statistics

Bladder Cancer Statistics

If you or someone you love has recently been diagnosed with bladder cancer, you likely and understandably have many questions. American Bladder Cancer Society wants to equip you with the high level statistics and facts pertaining to bladder cancer that are commonly researched by individuals just like you; from age statistics, to survival and recurrence rates, and more. You can also connect with others impacted by bladder cancer in the Bladder Cancer Forum.

General Bladder Cancer Facts

  • Bladder cancer is also known as Urinary Bladder Cancer.
  • 5% of all cancers are bladder cancer.
  • In the United States, there are approximately 587,000 men and women alive who have a history of cancer of the urinary bladder -- 419,000 men and 144,000 women.

Types of Bladder Cancer

  • Of urothelial tumors, more than 90% are transitional cell carcinomas.
  • Up to 5% of bladder cancers are squamous cell in origin.
  • 1-2% are adenocarcinomas.
  • Rhabdomyosarcomas most commonly occur in children.
  • Nonurothelial primary bladder tumors are rare and may include small cell carcinoma, carcinosarcoma, primary lymphoma, and sarcoma.

Learn more about the different types of bladder cancer.

Demographic Statistics on Bladder Cancer

  • Age is a factor in bladder cancer. A high percentage of people who have bladder cancer are over 55; however, it can occur at any age.
  • Men are more likely to have bladder cancer than women. It is the fourth most common cancer in men.
  • A man has a 1 in 26 and a woman a 1 in 88 chance of getting bladder cancer in their lifetime.
  • As many American women will die of bladder cancer this year as from cervical cancer.
  • Women often have delayed diagnoses because bladder cancer symptoms are often mistaken for common gynecological problems.
  • Whites are more likely to get bladder cancer than African Americans, but African Americans are often diagnosed at a more advanced stage.

Rates of Bladder Cancer Survival and Recurrence

  • It is estimated that yearly there will be approximately 76,000 new cases and 16,000 deaths.
  • The recurrence rate for noninvasive transitional cell cancer of the bladder is high with over 50% of patients having at least one recurrence within five years. Adhering to an appropriate checkup schedule is key to managing noninvasive disease.