Bladder Cancer Treatment Options by Stage

by National Cancer Institute

(Page 3 of 3)

Stage 0 Bladder Cancer (Carcinoma in Situ)

Treatment of stage 0 bladder cancer may include the following:

• Transurethral resection with fulguration.
• Transurethral resection with fulguration followed by intravesical biologic therapy or chemotherapy.
• Segmental cystectomy.
• Radical cystectomy.
• A clinical trial of photodynamic therapy.
• A clinical trial of biologic therapy.
• A clinical trial of chemoprevention therapy given after treatment to stop cancer from recurring (coming back).

This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site.

Stage I Bladder Cancer

Treatment of stage I bladder cancer may include the following:

• Transurethral resection with fulguration.
• Transurethral resection with fulguration followed by intravesical biologic therapy or chemotherapy.
• Segmental or radical cystectomy.
• Radiation implants with or without external radiation therapy.
• A clinical trial of chemoprevention therapy given after treatment to stop cancer from recurring (coming back).
• A clinical trial of intravesical therapy.

This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site.

Stage II Bladder Cancer

Treatment of stage II bladder cancer may include the following:

• Radical cystectomy with or without surgery to remove pelvic lymph nodes.
• Combination chemotherapy followed by radical cystectomy.
• External radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy.
• Radiation implants before or after external radiation therapy.
• Transurethral resection with fulguration.
• Segmental cystectomy.

Stage III Bladder Cancer

Treatment of stage III bladder cancer may include the following:

• Radical cystectomy with or without surgery to remove pelvic lymph nodes.
• Combination chemotherapy followed by radical cystectomy.
• External radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy.
• External radiation therapy with radiation implants.
• Segmental cystectomy.

Stage IV Bladder Cancer

Treatment of stage IV bladder cancer may include the following:

• Radical cystectomy with surgery to remove pelvic lymph nodes.
• External radiation therapy (may be as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life).
• Urinary diversion as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
• Cystectomy as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
• Chemotherapy alone or after local treatment (surgery or radiation therapy).
• A clinical trial of chemotherapy.

This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site.

Treatment Options for Recurrent Bladder Cancer

Treatment of recurrent bladder cancer depends on previous treatment and where the cancer has recurred. Treatment for recurrent bladder cancer may include the following:

• Surgery.
• Chemotherapy.
• Radiation therapy.
• A clinical trial of chemotherapy.

This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site.

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