Urothelial carcinoma constitutes 90% of bladder cancer. In rare cases, bladder cancer may be an adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.

Since this is a urothelial disease, the tumor can also be localized to the pelvis and ureter. Bladder cancer usually appears as a vegetation within the bladder, less often a red and flat lesion, visible with cystoscopy.

Urothelial cancers can be superficial - limited to the mucosa and/or the lamina propria, while others show deeper infiltration into the muscle layer.

Urothelial carcinomas can demonstrate varying degrees of aggressiveness.