Treatment overview for early bladder cancer

Some people may only need surgery to cure their cancer. However, early bladder cancer can come back (recur) in the bladder and, in a small number of people, the cancer may go on to grow into the muscle so that it becomes invasive bladder cancer.

After surgery, you may have further treatment to reduce the chance of this happening. This may include having the inside of your bladder treated with anti-cancer drugs (chemotherapy|) or with a vaccine called BCG|. Treatment with BCG is sometimes called immunotherapy.

After treatment you’ll be monitored very closely with regular cystoscopies|. If new cancers develop in your bladder, they can be successfully removed with surgery.

You can also have chemotherapy or BCG treatment in your bladder if the cancer comes back.

 

Planning your treatment

In most hospitals, a team of specialists will meet to discuss and agree on the plan of treatment they feel is best for you. This multidisciplinary team (MDT) will normally include:

• urologists – surgeons who are experienced in bladder surgery
• specialist nurses, who give information and support
• oncologists – doctors who have experience in bladder cancer treatment using chemotherapy and immunotherapy
• pathologists, who advise on the cancer’s type and extent.

Other staff are also available to help you if necessary, such as:

• physiotherapists
• counsellors and psychologists.

Your doctor will talk to you about the best treatment for your particular situation. If you have any questions about your treatment, don’t be afraid to ask the doctor or nurse looking after you. It often helps to make a list of the questions you want to ask and to take a close relative or friend with you to help you remember what is discussed. 

 

Giving consent

Before you have any treatment, your doctor will explain its aims. They will usually ask you to sign a form saying that you give permission (consent) for the hospital staff to give you the treatment. No medical treatment can be given without your consent, and before you’re asked to sign the form you should be given full information about:

• the type and extent of the treatment
• its advantages and disadvantages
• any significant risks or side effects
• any other treatments that may be available.

If you don’t understand what you’ve been told, let the staff know straight away, so they can explain again. Some cancer treatments are complex, so it’s not unusual for people to need repeated explanations.

It’s a good idea to have a relative or friend with you when the treatment is explained, to help you remember the discussion. You may also find it useful to write a list of questions before your appointment.

People often feel that hospital staff are too busy to answer their questions, but it’s important for you to know how the treatment is likely to affect you. The staff should be willing to make time for your questions.

You can always ask for more time if you feel that you can’t make a decision when your treatment is first explained to you.

You’re also free to choose not to have the treatment. The staff can explain what may happen if you don’t have it. It’s essential to tell a doctor, or the nurse in charge, so they can record your decision in your medical notes. You don’t have to give a reason for not wanting treatment, but it can help to let the staff know your concerns so they can give you the best advice.