Symptoms

Bladder Cancer: Symptoms

Choose a preferred language

Seeing a health care provider at the first sign of symptoms is the best way to find and treat bladder cancer. The earlier bladder cancer is found, the easier it is to treat.


What are the symptoms of bladder cancer?

These are some of the early symptoms of bladder cancer:

Blood in your urine

Bloody urine is often the first sign of bladder cancer. The color of urine may be pink, light rusty, or deep red, depending on the amount of blood. There may be clots of blood in the urine.

A change in urinary habits

Signs of bladder cancer include:

  • Urinating more often than normal.

  • Burning, discomfort, or pain when you urinate.

  • Feeling a need to urinate right away.

  • Trouble urinating.

  • A weak urine stream.

  • Needing to get up to urinate many times during the night.

  • Feeling a need to urinate when the bladder isn't full.


When to see your doctor

Many of these symptoms may be caused by other, more common health problems. But it's important to see a health care provider if you have these symptoms. Only a health care provider can tell if you have cancer.

Date Last Reviewed: 02/01/2025

© 2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions.

Start your journey toward better health

Select a primary care physician who will deliver personal care, close to home.

Find a Doctor

We have more than 4,500 specialty care physicians in our network

We have you covered from head (neurosurgery) to toe (podiatry.) And everything in-between!

Find a Doctor

Need Help?

Get the right care at the right time.

Learn More
Related Articles
Read article
Urology
Kidney Cancer: Symptoms

Kidney cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages. Here are some of the symptoms you can expect as the cancer grows.

Read article
Urology
Blood in the Urine

Blood in the urine has many possible causes. Read on to learn about why this occurs, as well as guidelines for home care and follow-up care.

Read article
Urology
Kidney Bruise

Some injuries can bruise your kidney. This may cause blood to appear in your urine. The blood may be in small amounts that you can't see or it might color your urine pink or light red.

Read article
Urology
Urethral Cancer: Stages

Urethral cancer is staged based on the part of the urethra that's affected. Learn what the stages mean.