Nivolumab, Intravesical chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, and surgery are the latest treatments for bladder cancer. Read on to learn about these treatments and what they mean for you. This article also discusses the risks and side effects of each. If you are diagnosed with bladder cancer, you will want to understand your treatment options. In addition, it is helpful to understand your insurance and treatment options before you choose a treatment.
Nivolumab
Nivolumab is an immunotherapy that has recently received FDA approval for treating advanced bladder cancer. This treatment is also used to reduce the risk of recurrence based on the stage of the cancer. Although there is still no cure for bladder cancer, the treatment may help patients live longer. Nivolumab is used as a single treatment or as an adjuvant therapy in combination with other treatments.
The treatment for bladder cancer varies depending on the stage of the disease and the person’s overall health. The goals of the treatment and expectations should be discussed with your doctor. You may be prescribed chemotherapy before or after surgery. In addition, your doctor may prescribe a combination of drugs to treat the disease. If you’re given chemotherapy, you’ll need to undergo a series of treatments to get the full benefit from the new treatment.
Intravesical chemotherapy
Patients who have cancer in the bladder can receive this type of therapy. It involves placing a catheter through the urethra into the bladder. Once inserted, the catheter stays in the bladder for one to two hours. After that, the nurse drains the liquid through the catheter. Patients may also have to change positions to ensure that the drug reaches every part of the bladder’s lining.
The drug is inserted into the bladder through a catheter that is passed through the urethra. This allows a high concentration of the drug to reach the cancer cells, which helps destroy them and prevent them from reoccurring. Intravesical chemotherapy can be used to treat cancers of the bladder in patients who are at a high-risk stage. Intravesical chemotherapy is not yet approved for everyone.
Radiotherapy
After a diagnosis of bladder cancer, patients are typically offered follow-up appointments once a year, six months, or annually. These follow-ups will check the condition of the bladder, including cystoscopy. A CT scan of the chest may also be offered. Some patients may also have chemotherapy. These treatments are often combined with radiotherapy. Both of these treatments have their pros and cons. Read on to learn about the pros and cons of each.
Patients who have bladder cancer may opt for a transurethral resection (TUR) after the tumor has been removed. The tumor must not block the bladder or kidneys, which are located above the bladder and filter blood. Additionally, the patient must be in good health and have no other symptoms of the disease. In addition, radiation therapy is often prescribed to those who are suffering from poor health and who are reluctant to undergo surgery. It may also be used to alleviate symptoms related to the cancer. Radiation therapy is given using intensity-modulated radiation, which targets tumors and spares healthy tissue.
Surgery
Bladder cancer is treated with surgery. This treatment removes the entire bladder, lymph nodes, and surrounding organs, and usually includes the uterus, ovaries, and seminal vesicles. This procedure reduces urinary symptoms and provides another way for the urine to exit the body. Surgery is generally an outpatient procedure. Depending on the type of cancer and its stage, a combination of treatment approaches may be recommended.
Transurethral resection is the most common type of bladder cancer surgery. The surgeon inserts a thin lighted tube into the bladder through the urethra. The surgeon then uses a tool with a small wire loop to remove the cancer or burn it away using high-energy electricity. The procedure typically requires a one-day stay in the hospital and a one-day stay at home.