What are the Causes of Bladder Cancer?

• Smoking
• Aniline and azo dyes
• Recurrent bladder infections
• Radiation exposure
• Previous chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide

What are the Symptoms of Bladder Cancer?

• Blood in the urine (may or may not be visible)
• Pain during urination
• Pelvic pain
• A frequent urge to urinate
• Slowing of the urine stream

Who Is Likely To Get Bladder Cancer?

• Men are more likely than women to get bladder cancer
• White patients more at risk than black or Asian patients

What Does Treatment for Bladder Cancer Involve?

The preferred therapeutic approach is surgery to remove as much of the affected area as possible. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy may also be used, depending on the stage of the cancer.

Surgery

One of the following types of surgery may be done:

• Transurethral resection (TUR) with fulguration: Surgery in which a cystoscope (a thin lighted tube) is inserted into the bladder through the urethra. A tool with a small wire loop on the end is then used to remove the cancer or to burn the tumor away with high-energy electricity. This is known as fulguration.
• Radical cystectomy: Surgery to remove the bladder and any lymph nodes and nearby organs that contain cancer. This surgery may be done when the bladder cancer invades the muscle wall, or when superficial cancer involves a large part of the bladder. In men, the nearby organs that are removed are the prostate and the seminal vesicles. In women, the uterus, the ovaries, and part of the vagina are removed. Sometimes, when the cancer has spread outside the bladder and cannot be completely removed, surgery to remove only the bladder may be done to reduce urinary symptoms caused by the cancer. When the bladder must be removed, the surgeon creates another way for urine to leave the body.
• Segmental cystectomy: Surgery to remove part of the bladder. This surgery may be done for patients who have a low-grade tumor that has invaded the wall of the bladder but is limited to one area of the bladder. Because only a part of the bladder is removed, patients are able to urinate normally after recovering from this surgery.
• Urinary diversion: Surgery to make a new way for the body to store and pass urine.

Even if the doctor removes all the cancer that can be seen at the time of the surgery, some patients may be given chemotherapy after surgery to kill any cancer cells that are left. Treatment given after surgery, to increase the chances of a cure, is called adjuvant therapy.

Radiation therapy

There are two types of radiation therapy. External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the cancer. Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters that are placed directly into or near the cancer. The way the radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.

Chemotherapy

Bladder cancer may be treated with intravesical (into the bladder through a tube inserted into the urethra) or traditional systemic chemotherapy. The way the chemotherapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.

Biologic therapy

Biologic therapy is a treatment that uses the patient’s immune system to fight cancer. Substances made by the body or made in a laboratory are used to boost, direct, or restore the body’s natural defenses against cancer. This type of cancer treatment is also called biotherapy or immunotherapy. The most commonly used biologic therapy is called BCG, which is actually a type of bacteria.

What Are The Advantages Of Surgery?

The tumor-affected area is removed.

How Long Does It Take?

The time required for the surgery depends heavily on the extent of tumor involvement, and on any reconstruction that may be required.

How Many Treatments Are Required?

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy need to be administered as a series of treatments. Surgery should be a one-time event.

What Are My Alternatives to Treat Bladder Cancer?

Photodynamic therapy is a fairly new approach that has shown promise in some studies

Will I Have Pain?

Pain should be reduced by treatment. There may be some postoperative pain, but this can be managed by prescription or over-the-counter medications.

When Can I Go Back To Work Or School?

This is highly variable, depending on the extent of the procedure performed.

Who Will Perform My Treatment?

One of our board-certified urologists will perform the procedure.

How Much Does It Cost?

Please call TopSurgeons at 800-506-8084 for more information.

Will My Insurance Cover Bladder Cancer Treatment

Insurance should cover this condition and any approved treatments.