Bladder Cancer: Treatment

There are often many treatment options for those with bladder cancer including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Treatment always depends on many factors including the stage and location of the cancer. By speaking with a doctor, a patient can better understand which treatment options are best for their case.

Surgery options include a transurethral resection, radical cystectomy, and segmental cystectomy.

Transurethral resection may be used to treat early forms of bladder cancer by removing the cancer and burning away any remaining cancer cells with an electric current.

A Radical Cystectomy may be used to treat invasive bladder cancer by removing the entire bladder, the surrounding lymph nodes, part of the urethra, and nearby organs that may contain cancer cells.

A Segmental Cystectomy may be used when a patient has a low-grade cancer that has invaded the bladder wall in just one area. During this treatment, only part of the bladder is removed.

Radiation options may include external radiation or internal radiation techniques. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer either from outside or inside the body.

Chemotherapy may be used to treat patients whose cancer has deeply invaded the bladder or spread to the lymph nodes or other organs. Chemotherapy may be combined with other treatment options.

Learn about Clinical Trials at Emory Winship Cancer Institute