Bladder Cancer

While bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men, it is far less common in women. Bladder cancer makes up about five percent of all new cancers in the US, annually. If diagnosed early, and treated effectively, the long-term outlook for those diagnosed with bladder cancer is excellent.

At SSM Health we treat several types of bladder cancer, including:

• Transitional cell (urothelial) carcinoma (TCC)
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Small cell anaplastic cancer

What are the symptoms of bladder cancer?

Early diagnosis is possible due to the appearance of blood in the urine or various other urinary symptoms. Other signs and symptoms we encourage you to look out for are:

• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Discomfort or pain while urinating
• Urinating frequently, especially at night
• The need to urinate, with persistent difficulty in doing so

If you’re experiencing any of these signs and symptoms or have other concerns, it’s important to call your primary care physician. They’ll talk through your concerns and determine the most appropriate next step.

What treatment options are available for bladder cancer?

If you have received a cancer diagnosis, our specialists will discuss available treatment options with you. They’ll walk through the benefits, side effects and risks of each option. These recommended treatment options may include:

• Surgery
• Intravesical therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Immunotherapy

Your treatment plan may include one, or a combination of these treatments. Each care plan is individualized, based on the stage of your cancer as well as other health and personal related factors.