Advanced Bladder Cancer Treatment

Bladder cancer most often begins in the cells lining the urinary bladder. Signs and symptoms are noticeable early on, making it highly treatable. Treatment options for bladder cancer depend on the stage of your disease when it’s diagnosed.

Dignity Health is dedicated to providing you with the latest therapies and advanced procedures for bladder cancer treatment in the Bay Area.

Treatment for Bladder Cancer at Dignity Health

In the early stages of bladder cancer, doctors focus on removing your cancer and stopping it from coming back. For more advanced stages, the goals of treatment may include easing your symptoms and helping you live longer.

Depending on the stage of your cancer, your overall health, and personal preferences, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatment options.

Surgery

In the early stages of bladder cancer, your doctor may be able to remove the tumor. For an advanced stage, surgery may be done to take out part of your bladder wall or your entire bladder. Dignity Health surgeons use CyberKnife to remove both cancerous and noncancerous tissue.

Systemic Chemotherapy

This drug treatment affects your whole body and may be combined with radiation. The medicine is injected through a vein or taken by mouth. You may have this form of chemotherapy before surgery to shrink a tumor and after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation may be used after surgery to kill any remaining bladder cancer cells. Sometimes, a doctor may recommend it if surgery isn't an option for you. For example, if you have late stage bladder cancer, it can help ease your symptoms and make you more comfortable.

Intravesical Therapy

This cancer treatment is delivered directly into your bladder and only affects your bladder lining. Your doctor may use this after surgery if your cancer is in the early stage.

Explore Your Bladder Cancer Treatment Options: Find an Oncologist

When you meet with your doctor, talk about the benefits and side effects of each therapy or treatment. With your input, your doctor can create a plan that meets the goals of your treatment.

You can find expert cancer care at these Dignity Health locations in the Bay Area:

Oncology departments at Dignity Health hospitals in the Bay Area provide personalized bladder cancer treatment in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Redwood City.