Bladder cancer tends to be discovered in early stages, making treatment and curing possible. Cancer of the bladder is usually confirmed with a cystoscopy, biopsy of cells from the bladder and urine cytology (examining urine for cancer cells).
Tumor Removal
In early stages, bladder cancer can be cured with the surgical removal of the cancer cells. Generally, a wire or a laser enters the bladder through the urethra to burn off the tumor.
Segmental Cystectomy
When cancer cells are limited to a small section of the bladder, the tumor and affected part of the bladder are removed. This procedure is performed via an incision in the abdomen.
Radical Cystectomy
Radical cystectomy, a surgical cure for bladder cancer, requires removal of the entire bladder and nearby lymph nodes. This procedure is used when cancer cells have spread beyond the surface layers of the bladder lining. In men, the prostate may also be removed; in women, the uterus, ovaries, and part of the vagina may also be removed.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy, the use of drugs to kill cancer cells, is used in surgeries or radiation therapy. It is usually administered intravenously or intravesically (to the bladder via the urethra).
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy focused beams to kill cancer cells. Used in conjunction with surgery and/or chemotherapy, radiation is just one part of a cure for bladder cancer. Radiation may be administered from an external machine or from a device implanted in the bladder.
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