The most common early symptom is blood in the urine (hematuria) — which may be visible or found during routine urine testing. Other symptoms may include frequent urination, urgency, pain during urination, or pelvic discomfort.
- Non–muscle invasive (NMIBC) – confined to the inner lining of the bladder
- Muscle-invasive (MIBC) – has spread into the muscle wall of the bladder
- Missing UTUC – suggest adding
- Advanced or metastatic – has spread beyond the bladder
- Urinalysis and urine cytology
- Cystoscopy (a small camera inserted into the bladder)
- Imaging tests (CT scans, ultrasound, or MRI)
- Biopsy to confirm the type and stage of cancer
Understanding the stage and grade helps determine treatment and long-term monitoring needs.