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REVIEW PAPER
Microbiome and oncogenesis – role of the urobiome and its differentiation in the etiology
of urinary bladder cancer
1
Student Scientific Society at the Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland
2
Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland
Corresponding author
Wiktoria Śliwa
Student Scientific Society, Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, Medical University, Doktora K. Jaczewskiego 8, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
Student Scientific Society, Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, Medical University, Doktora K. Jaczewskiego 8, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction and objective:
Over the past few years, there has been growing interest among researchers in exploring the role of the microbiome in the human body. In the field of oncology, as knowledge about cancer and its treatment expands, new reports are emerging regarding the microbiome and its potential impact on the etiology of bladder cancer. The aim of the study is to analyze the available literature on the relationship between microbiome and bladder cancer.
Review methods:
A search of the PubMed and Scopus databases was conducted from inception to 20 December 2025. Original articles written in English and open access from 2018–2025, focusing on the analysis of urine samples from patients with and without bladder cancer, were included in the review. Review articles, case reports, letters to the editor, commentaries, and conference abstracts were excluded from the analysis.
Brief description of the state of knowledge:
Significant differences in urinary microbiome composition were observed between healthy individuals and bladder cancer patients, as well as between urine samples obtained from women and men. A different microbiota composition was also observed in patients with cancer recurrence.
Summary:
There is a correlation between urinary bladder cancer and changes in the urobiome in patients, which could be used in the future as panels combined with other factors as a helpful diagnostic tool. Microbiota testing may also be useful in predicting cancer recurrence. However, further large-scale studies are necessary to confirm these relationships for specific bacterial strains, as the currently available data are heterogeneous and subject to significant error due to the population and methodological bias of the study group. It is advisable to sensitize patients to the presence of symptoms that may suggest bladder cancer and to develop effective preventive measures.
Over the past few years, there has been growing interest among researchers in exploring the role of the microbiome in the human body. In the field of oncology, as knowledge about cancer and its treatment expands, new reports are emerging regarding the microbiome and its potential impact on the etiology of bladder cancer. The aim of the study is to analyze the available literature on the relationship between microbiome and bladder cancer.
Review methods:
A search of the PubMed and Scopus databases was conducted from inception to 20 December 2025. Original articles written in English and open access from 2018–2025, focusing on the analysis of urine samples from patients with and without bladder cancer, were included in the review. Review articles, case reports, letters to the editor, commentaries, and conference abstracts were excluded from the analysis.
Brief description of the state of knowledge:
Significant differences in urinary microbiome composition were observed between healthy individuals and bladder cancer patients, as well as between urine samples obtained from women and men. A different microbiota composition was also observed in patients with cancer recurrence.
Summary:
There is a correlation between urinary bladder cancer and changes in the urobiome in patients, which could be used in the future as panels combined with other factors as a helpful diagnostic tool. Microbiota testing may also be useful in predicting cancer recurrence. However, further large-scale studies are necessary to confirm these relationships for specific bacterial strains, as the currently available data are heterogeneous and subject to significant error due to the population and methodological bias of the study group. It is advisable to sensitize patients to the presence of symptoms that may suggest bladder cancer and to develop effective preventive measures.
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| eISSN: | 1898-7516 |
| ISSN: | 1898-2395 |
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