ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the available evidence regarding etiological factors, the processes involved in carcinogenesis, and molecular events responsible for development of urinary bladder cancers. Urinary bladder cancer was the first human malignant tumor thought to be related to industrial chemical exposure. There are a number of epidemiological studies supporting a relationship between cigarette smoking and an increased risk of urinary bladder cancer in humans. There are also some medicines which may induce urinary bladder cancers in man. The analgesic agent, phenacetin, is used alone or in combination with aspirin and caffeine. Tryptophan and its metabolites have been speculated to be etiological factors in urinary bladder cancer because patients show increased levels of these agents in their urine. An elevated risk of urinary bladder cancer development has been reported in association with coffee and tea drinking. Sodium saccharin has been shown to act as a urinary bladder carcinogen in rats when given in large doses.
