While standard protocols have been established for the treatment of virtually all cancers, physicians will often modify them for their individual patients. These modifications are based on many factors including the patient’s age, general health, presence of other diseases, like diabetes, desired results, and the specific characteristics of his or her cancer. Since the treatments described here represent the standard therapeutic approaches, your physician may not strictly adhere to them.
Treatment of bladder cancer aims to remove as much of the bladder tumor as possible, preserve the urinary bladder to the safest degree possible, avoid recurrence of cancer, and prevent the spread of cancer to other areas. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for bladder cancer, but chemotherapy and radiation also play a significant role in controlling the disease and preventing spread to other parts of the body.
The links below discuss treatment options for bladder cancer:
Existing treatment protocols have been established and continue to be modified through clinical trials. These research studies are essential to determine whether or not new treatments are both safe and effective. Since highly effective treatments for many cancers remain unknown, numerous clinical trials are always underway around the world. You may wish to ask your doctor if you should consider participating in a clinical trial. You can find out about clinical trials at the government website ClinicalTrials.gov.
Campell’s Urology. 8th ed. New York, NY: Elsevier Science; 2002: 2732-2765.
Cecil Textbook of Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2002: 633-634.
Conn’s Current Therapy. 54th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2002: 720-721.
What you need to know about bladder cancer. National Cancer Institute website. Available at http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/bladder . Accessed December 2002.
Last reviewed September 2012 by Mohei Abouzied, MD
Last Updated: 09/26/2012