Bladder Cancer Treatment Options

Overview

Bladder Cancer at Spokane CyberKnife

The bladder is a hollow organ that stores urine before it is expelled from the body. It is located in the lower part of the abdomen, known as the pelvis. Urine is produced in the kidneys, and tubes called ureters connect the kidneys to the bladder. Urine flows through the ureters and into the bladder for storage. When you urinate, the bladder contracts, expelling urine through a tube called the urethra.

Bladder cancer typically originates in the inner layer of the bladder wall. As the cancer progresses through the bladder’s layers, it becomes increasingly difficult to treat.

The “transitional epithelium” is the lining where most bladder cancers begin. Over time, these cancers can invade deeper layers of the bladder wall. The disease starts when bladder cells grow uncontrollably, crowding out normal cells and disrupting the body’s functions.

Bladder cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones, in a process known as metastasis. Even if bladder cancer spreads to the bones or other locations, the cancer cells that form there remain bladder cancer cells.

Treatment Options for Bladder Cancer

There are several options available for treating bladder cancer, and it may be beneficial to seek a second opinion to determine the best treatment plan for you.

Bladder cancer is commonly treated with the following methods:

  • Surgery
  • Intravesical treatment
  • Radiation
  • Chemotherapy (chemo)
  • Immunotherapy
  • Targeted drugs

In some cases, a combination of treatments may be recommended. The most suitable treatment plan for you will depend on:

  • The stage and grade of the cancer
  • The extent to which the cancer has invaded the bladder wall
  • The likelihood that a specific treatment will cure the cancer or provide other benefits
  • Any additional health issues you may have
  • Your personal preferences regarding treatment and the associated side effects

Radiation Treatment for Bladder Cancer at Spokane CyberKnife

Radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy, involves the precise use of radiation to effectively treat cancer.

The therapy targets cancer cells by damaging their ability to divide and multiply. As these cells die, the body naturally eliminates them. While healthy cells are also impacted by radiation, they have the ability to repair themselves in ways that cancer cells do not.

For bladder cancer, the primary type of radiation used is external beam radiation therapy, often combined with chemotherapy. Internal radiation therapy, or brachytherapy, may also be employed in some cases.

External Beam Radiation Therapy

External beam radiation therapy consists of a series of daily outpatient treatments that deliver radiation to the bladder. Each session lasts less than half an hour and is typically administered five days a week for five to seven weeks.

Preparing for Bladder Cancer Treatment at Spokane Cyberknife

Step 1: Consultation

First, you will meet with your radiation oncologist to discuss the recommended radiation treatment options for your specific case and make a collaborative decision about your treatment.

Step 2: Simulation

As part of your treatment planning, the exact location of the tumor must first be determined. This is usually done using a CT scan, which stands for computed tomography, providing a detailed 3-D image of the treatment area using X-rays. Sometimes, temporary skin marks or even tiny tattoos (about the size of a freckle) are made on your body to assist the radiation therapist in positioning you correctly each day for treatment.

Step 3: Treatment planning

After the simulation is complete, your radiation oncologist will create a personalized treatment plan. This plan will take into account the location, type, and stage of your cancer, along with your medical history, lab tests, and other relevant factors to determine the best course of treatment. Typically, radiation therapy will require you to come in for treatment five days a week.

Step 4: Positioning for treatment

On your treatment days, your radiation therapist will position you on the radiation machine’s treatment couch. The radiation therapists will adjust your position on the couch using the alignment marks on your skin and the lasers in the room to ensure proper positioning for treatment.  Subsequently, internal imaging is frequently used to further adjust targeting based on internal anatomy.

Step 5: Start of treatment

The radiation is delivered by a machine called a linear accelerator, or linac. The linac will move around you to deliver the radiation. You won’t see, hear, feel, or smell the beam. Treatment sessions typically last about 15 minutes, although your first session may take a little longer.

Step 6: Post-treatment and follow-up care

Every patient is unique, but most can maintain their daily activities during treatment, even if they experience side effects like fatigue. Once your final treatment is complete, your radiation oncologist will arrange periodic follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and the effectiveness of the treatment.