Bladder Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
It is very important to do a comprehensive bladder cancer work-up to carefully evaluate the extent of bladder cancer.
- Physical exam and history
- Examining a urine sample (urine analysis, cytology, and culture)
- Urine marker tests
- Blood tests
- Using a scope to examine the inside of your bladder (cystoscopy)
- Removing a sample of tissue for testing and biopsy (transurethral resection of bladder tumor)
- Imaging studies
- CT urogram
- CT-guided needle biopsy
- Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
- Retrograde pyelogram
- Ultrasound
- CT scan Abdomen/Pelvis
- MRI
- PET
- Bone scan
- Chest X-Ray
Bladder Cancer treatment depends on the extent of the cancer within your body. At Orange County Radiation Oncology, we use the most advanced therapies available to treat bladder cancer. An individualized plan of care may include multiple types of treatments.
Surgical options may include:
- Transurethral resection of the bladder (TURBT)
- Intravesical chemotherapy
- Intravesical immunotherapy with BCG
- Partial cystectomy
- Radical cystectomy with urinary diversion
Other forms of non-surgical interventions for bladder cancer include:
Radiation – Any remaining cancer cells left after surgery are destroyed with high-energy radiation beams. For some bladder cancer, treating with chemotherapy at the same time can make radiation therapy work better. It is possible to receive radiation therapy before, during or after surgical intervention. Also, when surgery is not possible, radiation can be used to help slow the growth of the tumor.
Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy (chemo) are anti-cancer drugs that may be given intravenously (injected into your vein) or by mouth. The drugs travel through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells in most parts of the body. Chemotherapy can sometimes be given before, during or after surgery. At Orange County Radiation Oncology, our team provide extensive education and supportive care through your therapy.
Targeted Treatments – Targeted drugs work differently from chemo drugs. They sometimes work when chemo drugs don’t, and they often have different side effects. They can be used either along with chemotherapy or by themselves if chemotherapy is no longer working. Targeted treatment options are determined by further genetic testing of the tumor cells. This type of testing is usually done on the biopsied tissue of the tumor cells.
Immunotherapy – Immunotherapy is the use of medicines to help a person’s own immune system better recognize and destroy cancer cells. Immunotherapy can be used to treat some people with advanced bladder cancer.
