Bladder Cancer Treatment
Urothelial carcinoma—the most common type of bladder cancer, found in the cells that line the inside of your bladder.
Squamous cell carcinoma—this type of cancer often forms due to long-term bladder inflammation or irritation.
Adenocarcinoma—found in the cells that make up your glands.
Bladder cancer is also typically classified into either superficial bladder cancer (found in the lining of the bladder) or invasive cancer (which has spread further).
Click here to download our bladder cancer information sheet.
Signs and symptoms of bladder cancer
Unfortunately, many people who get bladder cancer do not have any noticeable symptoms until the disease is advanced (and therefore less curable). If you are at high risk for getting bladder cancer, talk with your physician about early screening tests.
The most common signs of bladder cancer include:
- Blood in the urine, also called hematuria (you may not be able to see a noticeable difference in color; your doctor can use a laboratory test to see if blood is present)
- A burning sensation when you urinate (may also be caused by a urinary tract infection)
- Feeling a strong urge to urinate, but only urinating a small amount
- Urinating more frequently than usual
Screening and diagnosis
To diagnose bladder cancer, doctors use a variety of tests. Initial steps often include urinalysis and urine cytology to check for blood or cancer cells in the urine, sometimes alongside newer urine tumor marker tests. The most crucial diagnostic tool is cystoscopy, where a thin tube with a camera is inserted into the bladder to visualize its interior and take biopsies of any suspicious areas (a procedure called TURBT). Advanced cystoscopy techniques like blue light cystoscopy can improve detection.
Imaging tests are also vital. CT urograms and MRI/MR urograms provide detailed images of the entire urinary tract to detect tumors and assess their spread. Ultrasound can also be used, though it’s less definitive. If cancer is confirmed, further imaging like CT scans of the chest/abdomen/pelvis, bone scans, or PET scans may be performed to determine if the cancer has spread (staging). A thorough physical exam and review of the patient’s health history are also integral parts of the diagnostic process. No single test is usually definitive; a combination is used for accurate diagnosis and staging, and ongoing follow-up is necessary due to the risk of recurrence.
Cancer treatment options
At Cancer Care of WNY, we offer several bladder cancer treatment options. The type of treatment is based on the type of cancer you have.
Options Include:
Superficial Bladder Cancer
The tumor is surgically removed, using a procedure called a TransUrethral Resection of Bladder Tumor (TURBT).
Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
There are two ways to treat muscle invasive bladder cancer:
- Surgery—A urologist will remove your bladder and nearby lymph nodes. The urine will drain into a bag attached to your abdomen.
- External Beam Radiation—A urologist will first remove as much of the tumor as possible using a TURBT procedure (described above). Then, radiation will be delivered for 15 minutes every day for approximately 7 weeks. At Cancer Care of Western New York, we are committed to providing the latest in radiation treatment technology.
As part of your treatment plan, you may have already met some of the specialists at Western New York Urology Associates, a leading group of urologists who can help oversee all aspects of your bladder cancer treatment.