The difficulties associated with cancer treatments can be extremely overwhelming. Quite a common condition, bladder cancer is considered to be a treatable disease. However, the success rate of the treatments depends on a variety of factors. Here are some of the important things about bladder cancer treatments that patients should be aware of. It is essential for one to consult with their doctor and ask them the right questions about the treatment process:

1. Staging
The stage of bladder cancer can play a huge role in the entire treatment process. The recommended treatments vary for different stages of this particular type of cancer. A series of tests will be used for determining the stage of the condition and these reports will help the doctor decide the right course of treatment. The staging of cancer depends on the growth of the tumor and whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

2. Grading
The next important thing to ask the doctor is about the grade of cancer. This will let one know about the type of treatment options that are best suited for their particular condition. In the case of Grade 1 bladder cancer, the cancer cells grow at a slow rate, making them non-invasive. The Grade 2 cancer cells are a bit more aggressive than the Grade 1 cancer cells. Grade 3 cancer cells are invasive and advanced, and they grow at an abnormal rate. Having proper knowledge about the grading system will help patients gain a better understanding of bladder cancer treatments and possible outcomes.

3. Treatment options
There are a myriad of bladder cancer treatments that can help tackle the abnormal growth of the cancerous cells. Surgery is often the most recommended treatment option. It involves the removal of the tumor and is mostly used for the treatment of non-invasive bladder cancer. The type of surgery that the doctor recommends depends on multiple factors such as the health condition of the patient, age, and stage and grade of cancer. Surgery is often helpful with low-risk tumors. However, individuals with high-risk tumors may have to go for further treatments.

Additional treatments include:

• Chemotherapy: For chemotherapy, the patient may either have to go for intravesical or systemic chemotherapy. Intravesical chemotherapy involves the treatment of tumors that are likely to progress further. Meanwhile, systemic chemotherapy may be advised for patients who are not fit for surgery whereas radiation therapy involves killing the cancer cells using high-energy X-rays.
• Radiation therapy
• Immunotherapy is the process of using the body’s immune system to fight off the cancer cells.

4. Treatment options if cancer returns
The chance of a recurrence is quite high among bladder cancer patients. If cancer comes back, the doctor may advise one to go for a cystectomy or try immunotherapy medications such as BCG. The goal of doing a cystectomy is to prevent cancer from spreading into the deeper muscle tissue.

Like other types of medications, bladder cancer treatments can also lead to multiple side effects. It is essential to check with one’s urologist and oncologist to find out about the potential side effects before going for the treatment.