Treatment Options For Bladder Cancer

A viewer has been diagnosed with bladder cancer, and their doctor has recommended the removal of their bladder and prostate. Doctor Lacy Anderson says there are treatment options, but this is common.

Bladder cancer is more common in older men who were previous smokers, but women can get bladder cancer as well. One of the earliest symptoms is blood in the urine, so be sure to see your doctor if you’ve noticed that. 

There are different types of treatments available, and some patients need more than one type of treatment. 

Many factors need to be considered, like the stage and grade of cancer, your preferences and your overall health. 

Surgery is the main treatment for bladder cancer, but other treatments may be given in addition to surgery. Chemotherapy may be given before surgery to shrink the tumor and after surgery to lower the risk of cancer recurrence. Radiation therapy and immunotherapy can also be given afterward to kill any cancer cells that are left. 

For cancer surgery, part of the bladder or the entire bladder may be removed. If the whole bladder is removed, other nearby organs also may be removed such as the prostate in men or the uterus, ovaries, and part of the vagina in women.