Bladder cancer - European Society for Medical Oncology

IS BLADDER CANCER FREQUENT?
It is estimated that in 2008, in Europe, approximately 110,500 patients were diagnosed with bladder
cancer. Bladder cancer is, thus, the 5 th most common cancer in Europe.
Bladder cancer is approximately five times more frequent in men than in women. It is estimated that
in 2008, 27 out of 100,000 men and 5 out of 100,000 women developed bladder cancer. Of all
cancers, bladder cancer is the 4 th most common cancer in men, and the 13 th most common cancer in
women.
In the European Union, the likelihood for a man to develop bladder cancer at some point in his life
lies between 1.5 and 2.5%. For men living in Flanders (Belgium), Malta, Spain and Italy this is
somewhat higher: between 3.1 and 4.2%. For a woman in the European Union, the chances of
developing bladder cancer at some point in her life are less than 1%.
The risk of developing bladder cancer increases with age; overall, 70% of patients who develop
bladder cancer present symptoms after the age of 65.
Bladder cancer: a guide for patients‐ Information based on ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines ‐v.2012.1 Page 4
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