Treatment options for bladder cancer depend on the type, grade and stage of cancer, as well as your overall health and preferences.
When diagnosed early, the success rate for treatment of bladder cancer is 95%.
At Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, you’ll receive personalized bladder cancer care from some of the nation’s leading specialists. We focus on you, your treatment and recovery. Your bladder cancer care is customized to include the most advanced therapies and the best treatments
You and your doctor will talk through all your treatment options. Often, you may need more than one type of treatment. When deciding on treatment, consider:
Bladder cancer surgery may include removal of cancerous tissue, including part or all of the bladder, and reconstructive procedures to allow urine to leave the body. Surgery may be done using traditional open surgery or laparoscopic robotic surgery - a less invasive method.
Immunotherapy, including Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), triggers the body's immune system to fight cancer cells. It is most effective in the early stages of bladder cancer. After the initial six-week treatment, your doctor may recommend you continue treatments for up to three years. Bladder cancer in later stages if often treated with another kind of immunotherapy called an immune checkpoint inhibitor.
Chemotherapy is used to treat bladder tumors in the lining of the bladder. Chemotherapy combined with bladder removal increases a patient’s chance of successful treatment.
You may consider taking part in a research study for a new type of treatment to test if it’s safe and effective. Clinical trials help uncover better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. View a list of our current clinical trials.
Some people might weigh their options and choose not to treat their cancer. If you choose this, it’s important to talk to your doctor about supportive care for pain and other symptoms.
Banner MD Anderson is here to help you understand your treatment options, including potential side effects and how to manage them. The side effects of bladder cancer treatment depend on the procedure. Common side effects of bladder cancer treatment include:
Cancer affects more than just the body. It can have a profound impact on your emotional and mental wellbeing. That’s why we offer a full range of care options including psycho-oncology and integrative therapies like massage and yoga. Learn more about our comprehensive cancer care.
Bladder cancer has one of the highest recurrence rates of any cancer. Most of the time, recurrence is not life-threatening. If you have recurrent cancer, you may feel strong emotions. Talking to a mental health professional trained in cancer services can help.
Sometimes, treatment does not cure cancer, but may still prolong life and reduce symptoms caused by the cancer. Being diagnosed with terminal cancer is stressful and difficult to process. We’re here to support you and your family at every step of your cancer journey. Patients with advanced cancer may want to consider supportive or palliative care for additional support and comfort or clinical trials to participate in research studies.
Sign in to Patient Account
