Bladder Cancer
Overview
- Fourth most common cancer among men
- Ninth most common cancer among women
- More than 50,000 new cases of bladder cancer are detected each year
- Can be treated without major surgery
- Early detection is vital
- The earliest clue of a bladder tumor is blood in the urine
Detecting bladder cancer
- Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP) is a test that allows the urologist to see images of the kidneys, ureters and bladder
- Cystoscopy allows the urologist to view the lining of the bladder and remove tissue samples for biopsy
- Urinary cytology is where the urine is viewed under a microscope to search for cancer cells
Treatment of bladder cancer
- Superficial — Located in the bladder lining (epithelium), this is treated with tumor removal and medication placed in the bladder
- Invasive — Cancer in the epithelium and extending into deeper layers, this is treated with removal of the bladder and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is more frequently used in Europe than in the United States.
- Metastatic (cancer has spread) — Spreading beyond the bladder to places such as the lymph nodes, liver or lungs, this is treated with chemotherapy.
Urologic Oncologists
Schedule an appointment
To make an appointment, whether a new or returning patient, with a urologic oncologist please call the UC Davis Cancer Center appointment line at 916-734-5959.