Part UT Health San Antonio
UT Health San AntonioUT Health San Antonio

UTSA Part of UT Health San Antonio

Contact Us | 210-450-9000

Menu
  • Find a Provider
  • Services
  • Cancer Types
  • Locations
  • Patient Care
  • Cancer Center
  • MyChart
  • X
  • Conditions
  • Conditions In-depth
  • Procedures
  • Wellness Centers
  • Natural & Alternative
  • Drug Info
  • Procedure Animations
  • Wellness Videos
Symptom CheckerQuick Nav
 
Health Library Home>Conditions InDepth>Article

Surgical Procedures for Bladder Cancer

by Michael Jubinville, MPH
Main Page
Risk Factors
Reducing Your Risk
Screening
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment Overview
Chemotherapy
Radiation Therapy
Surgical Procedures
Other Treatments
Lifestyle Changes
Living With Bladder Cancer
Talking to Your Doctor
Resource Guide

Surgery is mainly used to treat bladder cancer. The goal is to remove the cancer and save how the bladder works. The impact on how the bladder works depends on the stage of cancer and which surgery is needed.

Earlier Stages of Bladder Cancer

Transurethral Resection

This type treats forms of bladder cancer that haven’t spread to deeper muscle. A transurethral resection (TUR) is done with a cystoscopy. A tube is passed through the urethra and into the bladder. The scope allows the doctor to see inside the bladder. Tools and lights can also be passed through the tube. Tumors are removed with a wire loop, chemicals, or by laser. Tissue samples are also taken so they can be looked at in a lab.

TUR can cure cancer in those with very early stage bladder cancer. Other treatments may still be needed.

It's common for bladder cancer to return, even after it's been treated. TUR may need to be repeated many times.

Cystectomy

If the cancer has spread beyond bladder surface and into the muscle, a cystectomy may be needed. A cystectomy is the removal of part or all of the bladder. Early stage bladder cancer may only require a partial cystectomy. This leaves a smaller, but still working bladder.

Bladder tissue is removed through a cut in the belly. The doctor may also take out nearby lymph nodes to see if cancer has spread.

Later Stages of Bladder Cancer

Radical Cystectomy

A radical cystectomy involves removing all the bladder and nearby lymph nodes. In men, the prostate gland is removed. In women, the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and a small part of the vagina may be removed with the bladder. Cystectomy may offer a cure for some types of bladder cancer. But, some may need more treatment.

Since the bladder is removed, there is no way to store or pass urine from the body. A urinary diversion will allow the urine to leave the body. The types are:

  • Conduit diversion —The ureter will be linked to a section of the small intestine. This is so urine can drain into the intestine. It’s then linked to an opening in the belly wall. This is called a stoma. Wastes pass into a bag outside of the body.
  • Continent diversion —The ureters are linked to a pouch made from the intestines. It’s then linked to a stoma. Wastes can pass into a bag outside of the body.
  • Neo-bladder —This method saves some of the working bladder. A pouch is made using the intestines. Both the ureters and urethra are linked to this pouch. This way urine can pass out of the body. Sometimes, a tube is used. This type can also be done if the cancer is blocking urine flow and a cystectomy is not possible.
REFERENCES:

Bladder cancer. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115106/Bladder-cancer. Updated June 26, 2018. Accessed August 3, 2018.

Bladder cancer. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/genitourinary-disorders/genitourinary-cancer/bladder-cancer. Updated October 2017. Accessed August 3, 2018.

Bladder cancer surgery. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bladder-cancer/treating/surgery.html. Updated May 23, 2016. Accessed August 3, 2018.

Cystectomy. Encyclopedia of Surgery website. Available at: http://www.surgeryencyclopedia.com/Ce-Fi/Cystectomy.html. Accessed August 3, 2018.

Treatment option overview. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/bladder/patient/bladder-treatment-pdq. Updated May 3, 2018. Accessed August 3, 2018.

Last reviewed May 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP  Last Updated: 8/3/2018

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.

Copyright ©  EBSCO Information Services
All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy
Physicians and care providers of
UT Health San Antonio

8300 Floyd Curl Dr.

San Antonio, TX 78229

210-450-9000

Connect with us
  • Patient Rights and Responsibilities
  • Language Assistance
We make lives better ©

We're a part of UT Health San Antonio, provider of comprehensive health,  dental, &  cancer care,  advanced academics  and  life-saving research.

Web Privacy | Links from websites affiliated with The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio's website (uthscsa.edu) to other websites do not constitute or imply university endorsement of those sites, their content, or products and services associated with those sites. The content on this website is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Health information on this site is not meant to be used to diagnose or treat conditions. Consult a health care provider if you are in need of treatment.