Treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer, the Veteran’s overall health, and personal preferences.
Common options include:
- Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT)
- Partial or radical cystectomy (removal of part or all of the bladder)
- Urinary diversion procedures (ileal conduit, neobladder, or continent--known as an Indiana Pouch
- Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy placed directly into the bladder
- Intravesical chemotherapy, which is namely used for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer
- May be given before or after surgery
- Used for muscle-invasive or advanced disease
- Checkpoint inhibitors for advanced or recurrent cancer
- Sometimes used in combination with chemotherapy and/or surgery
- For certain early-stage cancers with close monitoring