Symptoms of Bladder Cancer
Blood in the urine is the main symptom of bladder cancer. You may also feel a need to urinate more often or experience pain when urinating. Other problems, such as urinary tract infections, can cause these symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms, speak to your urologist or primary care provider as soon as possible.
Diagnosing Bladder Cancer
Testing your urine for blood or abnormal cells can help our doctors determine if you have bladder cancer. If they suspect you do, a urologist will perform a cystoscopy, inserting a thin, lighted tool into the bladder to examine it. A biopsy can be done with this tool, removing small tissue samples for evaluation under a microscope.
Treating Bladder Cancer
Treatment for bladder cancer depends on how advanced it is.
- Early stage bladder cancers may be treated with intravesical therapy, which involves placing drugs directly into the bladder to spare surrounding tissues. We also deliver immunotherapy like Bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy (BCG) this way, directing the immune system to attack low-stage bladder cancer. Intravesical therapy is also used to deliver some chemotherapies.
- Robotic surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System was pioneered by our team. The technology provides a three-dimensional computerized view while our surgeons operate with precision to preserve sexual function and continence. Patients experience less blood loss and faster recovery times.
- Reconstructive surgery removes cancerous tissue and rebuilds the urinary system using your healthy intestinal tissue.
- Integrative treatment can include biofeedback, Reiki, yoga, educational seminars and access to a support group to help you and your family along your journey.