Videos
Short video to provide an overview of treatment options
Treatment Pathways
Information dependent on what type of cancer the patient has
Here you will find information to help you understand the bladder cancer treatment options available. Please watch the short overview video first.
The treatment pathway of bladder cancer will depend on the type, stage and grade of cancer. Further information is then provided for each of the possible pathways specific to a patient diagnosis.
Prioritise your learning based on the type of patients that you see in your hospital/clinic, and therefore the bladder cancer treatment that is most relevant to your role.
Short video to provide an overview of treatment options
Information dependent on what type of cancer the patient has
Key Takeaway Points
1) Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) treatment options:
Patient will require regular ongoing surveillance (cystoscopy + imaging) to monitor for disease recurrence or progression
2) Muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) treatment options:
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical cystectomy surgery with urinary diversion. This surgery involves removal of:
Men - removal of the bladder, part of the urethra, lymph nodes, prostate gland and seminal vesicles
Women – removal of the bladder, part of the urethra, lymph nodes, ovaries, uterus, cervix, and upper vagina
Radical cystectomy procedure is typically either:
Ileal conduit / urostomy – Urine is diverted through a segment of bowel to the skin's surface, where a stoma is created
Neobladder - A new bladder is created from a segment of bowel and connected to the urethra, allowing the person to urinate normally
Mitrofanoff - A pouch is created under the skin of the abdomen using part of the intestine. Urine collects in the pouch, and you use a catheter to empty the pouch periodically
Alternative therapy is radiation therapy and chemotherapy
Adjuvant chemotherapy &/or immunotherapy given if more extensive disease is found.
Patient will require regular ongoing surveillance (imaging) to monitor for disease recurrence or progression
3) Advanced (metastatic) bladder cancer treatment options:
Systemic chemotherapy
Follow up immunotherapy as maintenance or if disease progression
If further disease progression, then targeted therapy.
Access the clinical trial register to determine if the patient is eligible for clinical trial(s). Treatment options are advancing rapidly
Patient will require regular ongoing surveillance (imaging) to monitor for disease progression