Three Things to Know About Bladder Cancer Treatment
Receiving treatment for bladder cancer may be one of the first things on your mind following your diagnosis. At Moffitt Cancer Center, we understand the need to learn about your condition and figure out your next steps. Here are three things to know regarding treatment of this disease:
- Bladder cancer is often detected in its early stages – The symptoms of bladder cancer include a burning sensation when urinating, frequent urination and feeling the need to urinate without being able to. These symptoms appear in the early stages of bladder cancer, which contributes to early detection in many cases. As with other cancers, the earlier bladder cancer is detected, the more treatable it is and the higher the likelihood of a successful outcome and improved quality of life for the patient.
- The most common treatment is surgery – About 90 percent of bladder cancer treatment plans involve surgery, which may be recommended on its own or in combination with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or immunotherapy. Surgery may involve removal of the tumor (transurethral surgery), part of the bladder (segmental cystectomy) or the entire bladder (cystectomy). At Moffitt, the multispecialty team that makes up our Urologic Oncology Program meets regularly as a tumor board to review patient cases individually and determine which treatment options are best.
- Clinical trials may be available – Moffitt is committed to advancing cancer research to find the most effective approaches to screening, diagnosis and treatment. Our patients may have the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial that provides access to the latest breakthroughs in bladder cancer treatment before they are available elsewhere. Whether or not a patient chooses to participate in a clinical trial, they can be certain that they will receive the advanced treatment and care they deserve at Moffitt.
If you have recently been diagnosed with bladder cancer and would like to discuss your treatment options at Moffitt, you can schedule an appointment by filling out a new patient registration form or calling 1-888-663-3488. We welcome patients with or without a referral.