10. Transurethral Resection Of Bladder Tumor (TURBT)
Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor, also known as TURBT is a treatment that’s performed in the initial phases of bladder cancer. It’s a particular type of surgery that requires the use of an instrument called resectoscope to remove the tumor.
This procedure does not require the cutting of the abdomen. The patient will be under general anesthesia.
9. Radical Cystectomy
A radical cystectomy is a surgical treatment that removes the whole bladder. In men, this necessitates the removal of both the prostate and the seminal vesicles. In most cases, a radical cystectomy on a female patient will necessitate the removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and a section of the vagina.
Radical cystectomy is considered a major operation, with a recovery period of about eight to twelve weeks.
8. Ileal Conduit
Ileal conduit is a urinary diversion procedure so that the kidney can drain, allowing urine to leave the body. The procedure requires the creation of two new tubes that are taken from the intestine.
Urologists usually perform this procedure after the patient has undergone radical cystectomy. The patient won’t have a hard time passing urine out of the body.
7. Neobladder Reconstruction
This is a surgical procedure where a new bladder is constructed and attached to the ureters and urethra. It is also another urinary diversion procedure where the urologist creates a new path for urine to leave the body.
It is a good treatment option to consider if the bladder is not functioning well or is removed.
6. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of chemical compounds to inhibit the multiplication of cells and sustain other normal cellular functions. Its aim is to lower the size of cancerous tumors or eliminate cancer cells.
It has been discovered that the combination of two or more chemotherapeutic agents is more successful than the use of a single drug alone in cancer treatment. There are several chemotherapy variations available. Cisplatin is the most often used chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of bladder cancer.
5. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy helps your immune system fight cancer more effectively. Occasionally, this sort of treatment is referred to as biologic therapy. Medications are utilized in this treatment to cause the immune system to locate and destroy cancer cells.
This is a good treatment option to consider during the early stages of bladder cancer. It can also be considered if chemotherapy is not responding well to the patient.
4. Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy is another treatment option for bladder cancer. This method of treatment focuses on the specific tissues, genes, and proteins that promote the growth and survival of cancer cells.
Targeted therapy blocks the growth and spread of cancer cells and tries to limit damage to healthy cells. It makes use of an FDA-approved drug called Balversa.
3. Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy makes use of catheters. These are thin tubes that are placed directly on the tissue to provide radiation. Radiation therapy delivers powerful radiation that can eradicate any leftover cancer cells after the removal of the tumor.
This is a treatment option to consider during the early stages of bladder cancer and if the patient cannot undergo surgery and chemotherapy.
2. Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy utilizes light energy and drugs, which are photosensitizing agents. This particular therapy destroys cancer cells once the light is activated. The drug becomes active when it is exposed to light. The light can originate from a laser or any other source, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
According to studies, this light-based therapy can stimulate the body’s immunological response, providing an additional layer to aid in the destruction of malignant and precancerous cells.
1. Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is the latest treatment option for bladder cancer. It addresses the underlying genetic issue that is causing the disease by modifying the patient’s DNA. A particular method of gene therapy employs laboratory-modified viruses.
Urinary bladder cancer cells are infected with a virus that is inserted into the bladder. In this type of infection, the virus actually injects a gene into the cells that instruct the immune system to go after the malignancy.
These are bladder cancer treatments worth considering.