What are the potential causes of bladder cancer?

From the Guidelines

Bladder cancer is primarily caused by a combination of factors, including smoking, environmental/occupational exposures, and certain medical conditions, with smoking being a significant risk factor, as evident from the latest guidelines 1. The potential causes of bladder cancer can be divided into several categories, including:

• Demographic factors: male sex, white race, and increasing age, with a median age at diagnosis of 73 years 1
• Lifestyle factors: smoking, which is a significant risk factor, as well as exposure to certain chemicals and substances 1
• Medical conditions: chronic infection or irritation of the urinary tract, obesity, and diabetes, although treatment with metformin may be associated with improved prognosis in patients with bladder cancer and diabetes 1
• Genetic factors: certain genetic syndromes, such as Lynch syndrome, may predispose an individual to urothelial carcinoma 1
• Environmental factors: exposure to certain medications, pelvic radiation, and environmental/occupational exposures, such as arsenic in drinking water and certain chemicals found in the dye, rubber, leather, textile, paint, and printing industries 1 It is essential to consider these risk factors when managing patients with bladder cancer, as they can impact treatment outcomes and quality of life. The identification of these risk factors can help guide prevention and early detection strategies, ultimately reducing morbidity and mortality associated with bladder cancer 1.

From the Research

Potential Causes of Bladder Cancer

The potential causes of bladder cancer can be categorized into several factors, including:

• Lifestyle factors:
  • Cigarette smoking, which is recognized as the main cause of bladder cancer and accounts for about 50% of cases in developed countries 2, 3, 4
  • Secondhand smoking, which has been found to increase the risk of bladder cancer in nonsmoking populations 5
• Occupational factors:
  • Exposure to aromatic amines, which has been linked to a high risk of bladder carcinoma 2, 3
  • Exposure to arsenic, which is a known risk factor for bladder cancer 2, 3
• Environmental factors:
  • Drinking tap water with chlorination by-products or arsenic, which may increase the risk of bladder cancer 2
• Medical factors:
  • Certain drugs, such as cyclophosphamide and phenacetin-containing analgesics, which have been shown to cause bladder cancer in humans 2
  • Infectious agents, such as Schistosoma haematobium infestation, which can increase the risk of bladder cancer in endemic areas 2
  • Chronic inflammation, altering insulin resistance, and negatively modulating the immune system, which may have a role in bladder cancer carcinogenesis 3
• Dietary factors:
  • High consumption of fruits and vegetables, which may be associated with a small decrease in risk 2