Urology in Lagos
Bladder Cancer
The signs, what causes it, and treatment in Lagos from ₦350,000, with the full price shown before you book or pay.
Signs to look for
Bladder Cancer
- Blood in the urine, often painless and coming and going
- Needing to pass urine often or urgently
- Burning when passing urine, with no infection found
- Pain in the lower tummy or the side
- Weight loss, tiredness or bone pain, in more advanced disease
Published Mezo prices. Each links to what the price covers.
Bladder cancer starts in the lining of the bladder. The commonest first sign is blood in the urine without pain. Smoking is the biggest risk factor, along with long work around certain industrial dyes and chemicals. In northern Nigeria, years of untreated bilharzia (schistosomiasis) are linked to a type of bladder cancer that can affect younger adults. Many bladder cancers are found while they are still on the lining and have not grown into the muscle, when they can be removed through a telescope and watched closely.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Blood in the urine, often painless and coming and going
- Needing to pass urine often or urgently
- Burning when passing urine, with no infection found
- Pain in the lower tummy or the side
- Weight loss, tiredness or bone pain, in more advanced disease
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor within days for any blood you can see in your urine, even once, and especially if you smoke or are over forty. Ask for a urologist if urine infections keep coming back or bladder symptoms do not settle with antibiotics. Go to an emergency department now if clots stop you passing urine or the bleeding is heavy.
Treatment options
- Cystoscopy to look at the bladder lining, with a biopsy
- TURBT: removal of the tumour through a telescope, which also shows how deep it goes
- A dose of chemotherapy into the bladder after TURBT, and courses of chemotherapy or BCG into the bladder for some early cancers
- Regular cystoscopy checks, because bladder tumours can come back
- Bladder removal (cystectomy) or radiotherapy for cancer that has grown into the muscle
- Chemotherapy for cancer that has spread
What it costs on Mezo
Starting cash prices for the treatments used for this condition.
Common Questions
Is bladder cancer curable?
Often, when it is found early. Cancers that have not grown into the bladder muscle are usually controlled with TURBT and follow-up, though they need watching because they can come back. Cancer that has grown into the muscle needs bigger treatment, which is why painless blood in the urine should be checked promptly.
Does stopping smoking help after a diagnosis?
Yes. Smoking is the biggest cause of bladder cancer, and stopping lowers the chance of it coming back.
Will I lose my bladder?
Most people with bladder cancer keep their bladder. Removal is considered for cancer that has grown into the muscle or high-risk cancer that keeps coming back despite treatment.
Need Help?
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Urology in Lagos →Urology in Abuja →Urology in Port Harcourt →Urology in Jos →Urology in Ibadan →Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Bladder cancer. NHS. Patient information.
Links last checked 3 November 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.