If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with bladder cancer, it’s important to know about other health problems that might come with it. Sometimes, these conditions existed before the cancer diagnosis. Other times, they develop because of cancer or its treatment.

When someone has more than one health condition at the same time, these are called comorbidities or comorbid conditions. For example, someone with bladder cancer might also have high blood pressure or diabetes. These additional conditions can make treatment trickier and affect your overall health. Bladder cancer is often found in older adults, who are also more likely to have other health conditions. About 90 percent of people diagnosed are over 55, and half are over 73. No matter your age, understanding this condition can help you stay informed and take better care of your health.

For people with bladder cancer, extra conditions can affect treatment decisions. In some cases, treatments could introduce complications or make recovery more difficult. Some of the conditions linked to bladder cancer include genetic syndromes, chronic infections, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other cancers. Knowing about these conditions can help you talk to your healthcare provider and plan for the best care possible.

Chronic Urinary Tract Infections

Chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) happen when bacteria repeatedly infect parts of the urinary system, such as the bladder, kidneys, or urethra (the tube that allows urine to leave the body). A bladder infection, also known as cystitis, is the most common type of UTI.

Most UTIs are short-lived and treated with antibiotics. However, chronic infections can cause long-term inflammation and irritation in the bladder lining. This constant inflammation may raise the risk of certain types of bladder cancer, such as squamous cell carcinoma.

UTI symptoms often include frequent urination, burning pain when urinating, and blood in the urine. These symptoms can overlap with early-stage bladder cancer symptoms, making it difficult to tell them apart. That’s why it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider if you experience these symptoms. If you have known risk factors, like a history of smoking or exposure to certain chemicals, it’s even more important to talk to your healthcare team.

Kidney Cancer

The bladder and kidneys are both parts of the urinary system. This system includes the kidneys, ureters (the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder), bladder, and urethra (the tube that allows urine to leave your body from the bladder). Because these organs are connected, people with bladder cancer are at a higher risk of developing cancer in other parts of the urinary system. This is especially true if they have risk factors like smoking or exposure to harmful chemicals.

Kidney cancer develops when cells in the kidney grow and divide out of control. The most common type is renal cell carcinoma, which starts in the small tubes in the kidneys. Symptoms of kidney cancer can include:

• Hematuria (blood in the urine, which can appear pink, red, or brown)
• Side or back pain
• Loss of appetite
• Tiredness or weakness

If you’ve had bladder cancer, your healthcare provider may suggest regular tests to check for kidney cancer. These tests might include imaging scans like ultrasounds or CT scans. It’s important to diagnose kidney cancer early before it spreads. Lifestyle changes, like quitting cigarette smoking, can also help lower your risk of kidney cancer and other cancers that affect the urinary system.

Cowden Syndrome

Cowden syndrome is a rare genetic condition that raises the risk of bladder cancer and other types of cancer. It can be caused by mutations (changes) in a gene called PTEN. This gene helps control cell growth and keeps cells from growing too quickly or becoming cancerous. When the PTEN gene doesn’t work properly, cells can grow out of control, leading to cancer.

People with Cowden syndrome often develop noncancerous tumors on their skin, mouth, or inside the body. These are called hamartomas and are usually harmless, but they can be a sign of the disease. Cowden syndrome also increases the risk of other types of cancer, like breast, thyroid, and uterine cancers.

Your healthcare provider may recommend regular cancer screenings if you have Cowden syndrome. Genetic testing can help confirm whether you have a PTEN mutation. Knowing about this condition early can help you and your healthcare team create a plan to monitor your health and lower your cancer risk.

Lynch Syndrome

Lynch syndrome is another genetic condition that increases the risk of bladder cancer. It’s caused by mutations in genes that help repair damaged DNA, such as MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and EPCAM. Normally, these genes fix mistakes in DNA to prevent abnormal cells from forming. When they don’t work correctly, cells can divide and grow too quickly.

People with Lynch syndrome are at an increased risk of developing cancers in the bladder, colon, uterus, and other parts of the body. This condition often runs in families, so knowing your family history of cancer is important.

Symptoms of Lynch syndrome depend on where the cancer develops. For bladder cancer, you might notice blood in the urine, pain during urination, or frequent urination. If you have a family history of Lynch syndrome, your healthcare provider might recommend genetic testing or regular cancer screenings. Early detection and prevention strategies, like lifestyle changes or medications, can help manage the risks of this condition.

Heart Disease

Heart disease is a common health issue for people with bladder cancer, especially those undergoing bladder cancer treatments like chemotherapy and immunotherapy. These treatment options can strain the heart, damage blood vessels, and raise the risk of complications like blood clots. Heart disease includes problems like blocked arteries, heart attacks, and heart failure.

Common symptoms of heart disease can include chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling in the legs. For people with bladder cancer, having heart disease might make some treatments harder to tolerate. Your healthcare provider may monitor your heart health with follow-up tests like electrocardiograms or echocardiograms. They might also recommend lifestyle changes, medications, or other therapies to manage your heart condition while undergoing cancer treatment.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is when blood flows through your arteries with too much force. It’s very common in people with bladder cancer and can make treatment more complicated. Certain cancer treatments, like chemotherapy and some types of targeted therapy, can raise blood pressure or put extra strain on the heart and kidneys.

High blood pressure doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms, so regular checkups with your healthcare team are important. If left untreated, it can lead to serious problems like heart attacks, strokes, or kidney damage. Managing high blood pressure usually involves medications, a low-sodium diet, and exercise. These can help your body handle cancer treatments more effectively and lower the risk of complications.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition where the body can’t use sugar properly, leading to high blood sugar levels. People with diabetes may have a higher risk of developing bladder cancer, and the disease can make cancer treatment more challenging. High blood sugar may affect healing and overall health during treatment.

Symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, extreme thirst, fatigue, and slow-healing wounds. Managing diabetes with medication, a healthy diet, and exercise can help people with bladder cancer. It’s important to coordinate care between your healthcare team, including your oncologist (cancer specialist), urologist (urinary specialist), and diabetes specialist. This strategy will ensure that both conditions are well managed during your treatment.

If you have bladder cancer and another condition, managing both is important. Your oncologist, primary care doctor, and specialists can help you make a plan that addresses all of your health needs. Make sure all of your healthcare providers know about every medication you take, including vitamins and supplements. Eating well, staying active, and not smoking can help you feel your best.

Join the Conversation

On MyBladderCancerTeam, people share their experiences with bladder cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

If you have bladder cancer, do you have other conditions, too? How does having other health conditions affect your bladder cancer journey? Let others know in the comments below.