A bladder tumor is a form of bladder cancer, a medical condition in which abnormal cancerous cells grow and spread throughout the bladder and sometimes to other surrounding tissues and organs. Bladder tumor treatment options depend on the stage of the cancer, how much the cancer has spread, and the overall health of the patient. These factors will help the doctor determine the best bladder tumor treatment available for the individual patient. The most common forms of bladder tumor treatment include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Surgery is often used as a bladder tumor treatment option. In some cases, the cancerous tissue can be removed from the bladder without damaging the bladder itself. In other cases, a portion of the bladder must be removed, although this does not usually affect the patient's ability to urinate. In more severe cases, bladder tumor treatment may require the removal of the bladder as well as surrounding lymph nodes in addition to any of the surrounding organs that have been affected by the cancer.
Chemotherapy is frequently used as a bladder tumor treatment method, either alone or in combination with other treatments. Chemotherapy uses a combination of drugs designed to either destroy the cancer cells or prevent them from dividing and continuing to spread. Chemotherapy drugs may be given in the form of a pill or as a medication injected directly into the veins or muscles.
Radiation therapy may be used as a bladder tumor treatment option, frequently along with chemotherapy. This method of treatment uses high levels of radiation to kill the cancer cells or stop them from growing. External radiation therapy involves the use of a machine to deliver the radiation treatments. Internal radiation therapy involves directing the radiation directly to the site of the cancerous cells. The type of radiation therapy used depends on the type of cancer present as well as the stage of the cancer.
Biologic therapy is a bladder tumor treatment method designed to boost the immune system of the patient. This form of treatment is aimed at helping the body to naturally rid itself of the cancer. Further research into this method of treatment continues, and other methods of treatment are being examined and tested. Any patient with this form of cancer should discuss all possible bladder tumor treatment methods with a doctor to find out what the best course of treatment is for the individual situation.
