Types of bladder cancer

Transitional cell bladder cancer (TCC)

TCC, also known as urothelial carcinoma, is the most common type of bladder cancer. The cancer starts in cells, called transitional cells, in the bladder lining (urothelium).

Transitional cell cancers occur in two forms.  The majority are found growing on the surface of the bladder wall and not invading the underlying muscle wall (non muscle invasive or superficial TCC).  Sometimes these tumours invade the muscle wall (muscle invasive TCC).

Rarer types of bladder cancer

These include squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma.  Both of these types of bladder cancer are usually invasive.