Bladder Late Effects

Bleeding into the bladder (hemorrhagic cystitis) occurs when bladder irritation results in blood in the urine.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Urine color that is light pink to bright red.
• Some people may feel an urgent need to urinate.
• Some may feel like they can’t eliminate all the urine in their bladder.
• There is usually no pain.

Patients should tell their health care provider when these signs and symptoms occur.

Sometimes tests are necessary to detect blood in the urine.

This condition may occur off and on for years after cancer treatment. Most episodes of hemorrhagic cystitis occur during cancer therapy. But it may also become a chronic problem.

Bladder fibrosis is scar tissue in the bladder. Scar tissue may build up and cause the bladder walls to thicken. The pressure inside the bladder can increase and affect its ability to store and empty urine.

Symptoms may include:

• Difficulty emptying the bladder
• Leakage of urine
• Blood in the urine

Sometimes the condition does not have symptoms.

Primary care providers may refer patients to an urologist if they have symptoms of bladder fibrosis.

An ultrasound may show the scar tissue. An urologist may perform a cystoscopy. It allows the doctor to look directly in the bladder with a thin, lighted tube.

Bladder cancer as a result of cancer treatment is rare.

The most common symptom is blood in the urine. Patients may also experience a need to urinate urgently or frequently. Symptoms of advanced cancer are pain over the bladder, in genital area, or in the bones.

Survivors with these symptoms should see their health care provider.

Read More about Neurogenic Bladder