Bladder cancer Microchapters Home Patient Information Overview Historical Perspective Classification Pathophysiology Causes Differentiating Bladder cancer from other Diseases Epidemiology and Demographics Risk Factors Screening Natural History, Complications and Prognosis Diagnosis Staging Diagnostic Study of Choice History and Symptoms Physical Examination Laboratory Findings Electrocardiogram X Ray MRI Electrocardiography or Ultrasound Other Imaging Findings Other Diagnostic Studies Biopsy Treatment Medical Therapy Surgery Primary Prevention Secondary Prevention Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy Future or Investigational Therapies Case Studies Case #1 Bladder cancer treatment On the Web Most recent articles Most cited articles Review articles CME Programs Powerpoint slides Images American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Bladder cancer treatment All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov US National Guidelines Clearinghouse NICE Guidance FDA on Bladder cancer treatment CDC on Bladder cancer treatment Bladder cancer treatment in the news Blogs on Bladder cancer treatment Directions to Hospitals Treating Bladder cancer Risk calculators and risk factors for Bladder cancer treatment Steven C. Campbell, M.D., Ph.D. ## Treatment[edit | edit source] The treatment of bladder cancer depends on how deep the tumor invades into the bladder wall. Superficial tumors (those not entering the muscle layer) can be "shaved off" using an electrocautery device attached to a cystoscope. Immunotherapy in the form ofBCG instillation is also used to treat and prevent the recurrence of superficial tumors.[1] BCG immunotherapy is effective in up to 2/3 of the cases at this stage. Instillations of chemotherapy into the bladder can also be used to treat superficial disease. Untreated, superficial tumors may gradually begin to infiltrate the muscular wall of the bladder. Tumors that infiltrate the bladder require more radical surgery where part or all of the bladder is removed (a cystectomy) and the urinary stream is diverted. In some cases, skilled surgeons can create a substitute bladder (a neobladder) from a segment of intestinal tissue, but this largely depends upon patient preference, age of patient, renal function, and the site of the disease. A combination of radiation and chemotherapy can also be used to treat invasive disease. It has not yet been determined how the effectiveness of this form of treatment compares to that of radical ablative surgery. There is weak observational evidence from one very small study (84) to suggest that the concurrent use of statins is associated with failure of BCG immunotherapy.[2] ## References[edit | edit source] 1. ↑ "BCG immunotherapy of bladder cancer: 20 years on". 353 (9165). 1999: 1689&ndash, 94. 2. ↑ "Use of statins and outcome of BCG treatment for bladder cancer". 355 (25). 2006: 2705&ndash, 7. Template:Tumors bs:Rak mokraćnog mjehura da:Blærecancer de:Blasenkrebs hr:Rak mokraćnog mjehura no:Urinveiskreft fi:Virtsarakon syöpä sv:Urinvägscancer Template:WH Template:WS