Treatment of bladder cancer

Treatment options for bladder cancer include transurethral resection of the bladder tumor, intravesical therapy, cystectomy, and radiation and chemotherapy.

Transurethral resection and intravesical therapy

In the treatment of low-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, we will perform a transurethral resection of the bladder tumor through the urethra (TUR-BT).

In conjunction with the resection, we will perform a one-time bladder irrigation treatment with a cytostatic agent. We can only administer a single flush of chemotherapy if the bladder wall is intact.

If you have moderate- or high-risk bladder cancer, we will perform a series of treatments with the intravesical therapy. In the intravesical therapy, we use cytotoxic drugs or immunological agents. In this intravesical therapy, the nurse inserts the drug into the bladder using a catheter. The drug is kept in the bladder for two hours, after which it can be urinated out of the bladder. Your series of treatments usually begins with six weekly treatment sessions. The intravesical therapy will continue as part of routine maintenance treatment for 1–3 years.

Bladder removal surgery

In localized cancer that grows into the muscle layer of the bladder, bladder removal surgery is the most effective form of treatment. In men, in addition to the bladder, we remove the prostate gland, and in women, we remove the uterus and ovaries.

Chemotherapy given before surgery improves the prognosis by reducing local cancer recurrence and reducing the risk of metastases. Treatment requires that you have good general condition and good kidney function.

The combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy in the treatment of bladder cancer

We give radiation therapy to patients who are not suitable for surgery or do not want their bladder removed.

A more effective form of treatment than radiation therapy is chemoradiotherapy. Chemoradiotherapy is a form of cancer treatment that combines radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

The best treatment results for bladder cancer have been achieved by combining the most accurate planing surgery possible with subsequent chemoradiotherapy.