Bladder Cancer

Cancer of the bladder arises in the specialised urothelial cells which line the inside of your bladder, and often present as a mass in the bladder. Most bladder cancers are easily treated if detected early enough.

Risk factors

Smoking
Advanced age
Occupational hazards (printing, rubber, leather, textile and paint industries)

Symptoms

The most common sign of bladder cancer is painless passing of blood in the urine.

Investigating suspected bladder tumours:

Medical history and physical examination
Blood and urine sample tests
Ultrasound and CT scan: To evaluate the kidneys and the bladder
Cystoscopy: A telescope test to look at the inside of your bladder
Biopsy: Taking samples through the telescope

Treatment

Initial diagnosis and treatment are performed endoscopically via transurethral resection of the tumour. In many instances, this may be the only form of treatment needed, but follow-up cystoscopies need to be performed for surveillance.

Minor,Minimally Invasive or Surgical Options

Surveillance Cystoscopy

Our urologists follow a strict surveillance protocol after treatment of all bladder cancer.

Bacille Calmette Guerin

(BCG) is a form of intravesical immunotherapy offered to localised high-grade forms of bladder cancer. A solution instilled through a catheter into your bladder stimulates your immune system to allow the body to fight against the growth of cancerous cells.

Intravesical Chemotherapy

Heated chemotherapy called Mitomycin C is sometimes administered directly to the bladder using a special catheter system called HIVEC.

Radical Cystectomy

Radical cystectomy, which is the removal of the entire bladder, surrounding lymph nodes, and adjacent organs (prostate, uterus) is offered in advanced and aggressive cases. Afterward, your urologist will reconstruct your urinary tract so that you are still.

Neo-adjuvant Chemotherapy

This is used before surgery to “shrink” tumours prior to an operation.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, or a combination may be used in the treatment of advanced bladder.

TURBT (Trans-urethral resection of bladder tumour)

A cystoscopy is performed to identify any abnormalities in the bladder and a Bipolar resectoscope is used to resect and remove any tumours identified.