If a tumor has formed in the bladder, there are two different treatment goals – depending on the stage of the cancer: The primary goal is first to remove or destroy the bladder tumor and any daughter tumors. This procedure is known as curative therapy. However, if a complete cure is not possible, an attempt is made to prevent the tumor from growing and spreading for as long as possible.
Surgical removal of bladder tumor
If the bladder tumor is discovered at an early stage and it is still relatively small, it can usually be removed through the urethra (endoscopic treatment). If such endoscopic treatment is not possible or sufficient, open surgery is performed. In this procedure, the bladder, adjacent lymph nodes, and affected neighboring organs are removed. If the bladder must be removed, your doctor will inform you about alternative options for urine storage and drainage.
An alternative to open surgery for bladder cancer is radiation therapy. This uses ionizing radiation to kill the tumor cells. Since bladder tumors are very sensitive to radiation, bladder cancer can often be completely cured by radiation therapy. Compared with open surgery, the advantage of radiation therapy is that the bladder can be preserved in about 75 percent of patients.
Chemotherapy as a treatment method
If surgery cannot remove all cancer cells, for example because they have already spread throughout the body via the bloodstream, chemotherapy will be given in addition to surgery. Chemotherapy can specifically destroy cells that – as is the case with cancer cells – divide rapidly. However, chemotherapy also destroys healthy cells that divide frequently. This can lead to typical side effects of chemotherapy, such as hair loss.
In the case of bladder cancer, it is also possible to apply chemotherapy locally in the bladder. This form of treatment is usually chosen if the bladder tumor has already been removed through the urethra. In order to prevent a new formation of malignant tissue, drugs are then flushed into the bladder once. They remain there for about two hours. Similarly, after removal of the tumor, drugs that stimulate the immune system can be flushed into the bladder at regular intervals. They, too, are intended to prevent the bladder tumor from recurring.
If the bladder cancer is already so far advanced that there is no longer any chance of a cure, palliative medical treatment can keep the patient’s quality of life as high as possible for as long as possible. The goal of palliative medical treatment is primarily to relieve the patient’s pain. In addition, however, this form of therapy also provides emotional support for the patient and his or her relatives.
Bladder cancer: good chances of cure in the early stages
If you observe symptoms in yourself that indicate bladder cancer, you should definitely consult a doctor. This is because if bladder cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the chances of cure are usually good. However, due to the uncharacteristic symptoms, bladder cancer is rarely detected at an early stage. However, even if the cancer is not detected until a later stage, the chances of cure for bladder cancer are on average higher than for other cancers.
If the bladder tumor has been successfully treated, it is important for those affected to have regular follow-up examinations after treatment has been completed. This is because regular check-ups allow an early response in the event of a relapse and allow concomitant or secondary diseases to be treated in good time. At the beginning, check-ups take place every three months, later every six months and finally every twelve months.
