While many people talk about “bladder cancer” as if it’s one condition, there are actually different types of bladder cancer, each with its own origin, behavior, and level of aggressiveness. Knowing these differences can change how doctors approach diagnosis, how patients understand their risk, and most importantly, how treatment is planned.

So, what are the 3 types of bladder cancer that patients should know about? Let’s break them down: urothelial carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. Each begins in a different set of cells, and each comes with unique challenges.

Overview of Bladder Cancer Types

Before discussing the three categories, it helps to quickly answer a basic question: What is bladder cancer? Put simply, it’s a disease that begins when abnormal cells in the bladder grow uncontrollably, forming tumors that can damage the bladder wall and, in some cases, spread to other parts of the urinary tract or body.1 The exact type depends on which bladder cells are affected first.

The bladder is lined with several layers of bladder cells, each capable of developing cancer under certain conditions.2 Which layer or cell type is affected determines the specific diagnosis.

Here are the different kinds of bladder cancer:

  • Urothelial carcinoma (transitional cell carcinoma): The most common type of bladder cancer, beginning in the urothelial lining that stretches as urine fills the bladder.
  • Squamous cell carcinoma: Less common but often aggressive, linked to chronic urinary tract irritation or infections.
  • Adenocarcinoma: A rare form, starting in glandular cells capable of producing mucus in the bladder wall.

These categories may sound technical, but understanding them helps patients understand their diagnoses and explains why treatment strategies aren’t one-size-fits-all.

Urothelial (Transitional) Cell Carcinoma

Urothelial carcinoma is by far the most common, accounting for nearly 9 out of 10 bladder cancer cases.3 It begins in the urothelial cells lining the urinary tract, which regularly come into contact with chemicals filtered out of the body in urine. Over time, exposure to smoking or industrial toxins can damage these cells, increasing the risk of tumors.

Within this diagnosis, there are two key forms:

  • Non-muscle invasive: Cancer grows in the inner lining only, without penetrating the bladder wall.
  • Muscle invasive bladder cancer: The disease reaches deeper muscle layers bladder and can spread more easily.

Doctors usually stage and grade the disease using tests like cystoscopy, imaging, or biopsies. While conventional medical providers may push chemotherapy or cystectomy surgery, at ITC, we offer patients natural alternatives that strengthen immunity and target cancer cells without the same harsh impact on healthy tissue.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma

Though much less common, these types deserve attention.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

This form develops after long-term bladder irritation or repeated infections. Chronic inflammation changes the normal cell structure, and eventually, squamous cell carcinoma can grow. It’s considered more aggressive than urothelial carcinoma and often diagnosed at a more advanced stage. Risk factors include frequent catheter use and untreated infections.

Adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinoma of the bladder starts in glandular cells within the bladder lining. These cells secrete mucus, and though this form is rare, it can be invasive once diagnosed. Because of how quickly they grow, patients often face tumors that require urgent treatment.

Both squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma are associated with higher-grade tumors, meaning the cancer cells look abnormal under a microscope and are more likely to spread. For these patients, ITC emphasizes whole-body therapies that address the disease aggressively but without the collateral damage of radiation therapy or chemotherapy drugs.

Holistic Support for All Bladder Cancer Types

While the cellular details may differ, the challenge remains the same: how to treat bladder cancer effectively without compromising quality of life. At Immunity Therapy Center, we design treatment plans that adapt to each type of bladder cancer diagnosis.

We see patients from all over the world who want to avoid invasive treatments like chemotherapy and surgery as their first option. That’s why we build individualized, holistic care plans that address not just the disease, but the person as a whole.

For example:

  • Patients with urothelial carcinoma may benefit from immunotherapy protocols that help the immune system recognize and attack abnormal cancer cells.
  • Those with squamous cell carcinoma often receive detox therapies aimed at reducing inflammation and restoring healthy urinary tract function.
  • For adenocarcinoma, ITC may integrate nutrition therapy with an effective bladder cancer diet and hyperbaric oxygen approaches to weaken tumors and support whole-body recovery.

We ensure that each plan is unique and tailored to the patient’s grade, stage, and personal needs. By avoiding a “one-size-fits-all” mindset, ITC ensures that patients diagnosed with any type of bladder cancer receive care that targets their disease while supporting their overall well-being.

Taking the Next Step at Immunity Therapy Center

When people ask, What are the 3 types of bladder cancer?, the answer may sound simple: urothelial carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. But behind those names lies a complex disease that requires thoughtful, patient-first care.

Conventional providers often rely on surgery or chemotherapy as the default. However, we believe patients deserve real alternatives. Our therapies are safe, natural, and designed to fight tumors while strengthening the body from the inside out.

If you’d like more information about bladder cancer risk factors or alternative care, explore our Bladder Cancer natural treatment options in Mexico. Wherever you are in your journey, ITC is here to help.

 

Written By: Dr. David Alvarez

Dr. David Alvarez is a Board Certified Medical Doctor from Universidad Xochicalco and Certified by the American Heart Association (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support).

Dr. Alvarez has been collaborating with Dr. Bautista as an Assistant Medical Director at the Immunity Therapy Center for over 6 years. He provides daily on site patient care and participates on the medical board on research and development of patient treatment plans and programs. Dr. Alvarez is a knowledgeable and compassionate Doctor committed to helping patients get to where they want to be health wise through a more holistic and comprehensive approach.

 

Sources:

  1. PubMed. Bladder Cancer. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536923/
  2. PathologyOutlines. Bladder & Urothelial tract. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/bladderhistology.html.
  3. American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Bladder Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/bladder-cancer/about/key-statistics.html

 

Dr. Bautista
Medically Reviewed by:Dr. Bautista
August 30, 2025

Dr. Carlos Bautista is a Board Certified Medical Doctor. He received his Medical Degree from Universidad Autónoma de Baja California and has more than 30 years of experience working with Alternative Medicine to treat cancer, autoimmune diseases, chronic degenerative diseases, and infectious diseases. He opened Immunity Therapy Center in 2007 with the goal of providing the highest quality medical care for more than 5,000 patients.

At Immunity Therapy Center, our goal is to provide objective, updated, and research-based information on all health-related topics. This article is based on scientific research and/or other scientific articles. All information has been fact-checked and reviewed by Dr. Carlos Bautista, a Board Certified Medical Doctor at Immunity Therapy Center. All information published on the site must undergo an extensive review process to ensure accuracy. This article contains trusted sources with all references hyperlinked for the reader's visibility.