Bladder Cancer Treatments

The TriHealth Cancer Institute treats bladder cancer depending on the type and stage of the disease. Several treatments may be used alone or in combination to increase the likelihood of a cure.

Bladder Cancer Treatment Options

• Surgery
• Radiation
• Chemotherapy
• Biologic therapy

Surgery is the dominant bladder cancer therapy chosen. It is performed in more than 90 percent of bladder cancers (either alone or in combination with another therapy).

Bladder Cancer Treatment: Radical Cystectomy

For patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer, a radical cystectomy is the preferred form of treatment. A cystectomy is the removal of all or part of the bladder and possibly the removal of nearby lymph nodes and organs that may contain cancer.

If the bladder is removed, the surgeon creates a new way for urine to leave the body. In some cases, a urinary diversion is performed to create a new way for the body to store and pass urine.

Cystectomy traditionally is performed using an open approach, which requires a large abdominal incision. Another approach, conventional laparoscopy, is less invasive, but limits the doctor’s dexterity, visualization and control, compared to open surgery.

Bladder Cancer Treatment: Robotic-Assisted Cystectomy

Robotic-assisted cystectomy is a less invasive alternative and potentially more effective alternative to laparoscopic and open bladder cancer surgery.

Benefits of Robotic-Assisted Cystectomy

When performed robotically with TriHealth’s da Vinci Surgical System, cystectomy is done with unparalleled precision and control through a few small incisions along the abdomen. It offers numerous potential benefits over other surgical methods, including:

• Significantly less pain
• Less blood loss
• Fewer transfusions
• Less risk of infection
• Less scarring
• Shorter hospital stay
• Shorter recovery time
• Better clinical outcomes, in many cases

As with any surgery, these benefits cannot be guaranteed, as surgery is specific to both the patient and the procedure. While robotic-assisted cystectomy is considered safe and effective, it may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.

Illustration courtesy of Intiuitive Surgical, Inc.