Bezzy communities provide meaningful connections with others living with chronic conditions. Join Bezzy on the web or mobile app.
Can't get enough? Connect with us for all things health.
Your hub for navigating cancer
Tips and tools for managing your health and wellbeing during chemo
Nutrition tips and tools
What to Ask Your Doctor About Treating Advanced Bladder Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated
in the United States will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2020.
Urothelial carcinoma is the
of bladder cancer. When it spreads beyond the bladder, it can be referred to as metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC).
Receiving an advanced bladder cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. Keep in mind that treatments are available for every stage of bladder cancer.
Treatment options for advanced bladder cancer may differ from those of early-stage cancer.
The type of treatments your doctor recommends will also vary based on where the cancer has metastasized in the body. That’s why it’s important to discuss your options with your doctor.
Here are some questions to ask your doctor about treating advanced bladder cancer.
What tests will I need?
If your doctor believes that the cancer has metastasized to the lymph nodes or other organs, they’ll likely recommend several tests to determine the stage of the cancer and locate where it’s spread.
When initially diagnosed, your doctor may have performed or ordered tests, including:
When bladder cancer spreads, your doctor may order additional tests, such as:
What type of treatment will help me?
Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan based on the stage of the cancer. Advanced or metastatic bladder cancer has fewer treatment options than earlier stages of bladder cancer. Your options may include:
The first-line treatment for advanced bladder cancer is the chemotherapy drug cisplatin, which can help stop cancer cells from reproducing.
Your doctor might recommend chemotherapy alone or in combination with surgery or radiation. Chemotherapy can kill some of the cancer cells and shrink tumors, making it easier to remove the cancer during surgery.
Depending on the extent of the cancer, after completing chemotherapy, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure called cystectomy to remove all or part of the bladder.
In a cystectomy, after the bladder is removed, the surgeon will do another procedure called urinary diversion. They’ll create a reservoir inside the body to collect urine and then create a new tube so that urine can exit the body.
After surgery, your doctor may recommend additional chemotherapy to remove any remaining cancer cells.
Along with chemotherapy and surgery, advanced bladder cancer may respond to immunotherapy. This type of treatment uses your own immune system to fight the cancer.
Participating in a clinical trial can provide you with access to new experimental treatments. However, clinical trials also have risks. The experimental treatment may have unknown side effects, and it may not be effective.
If you’re interested in learning more about clinical trials, ask your doctor. They can talk to you about whether you might be a good candidate. They may also have information about how to access clinical trials for your condition.
What are the side effects of bladder cancer treatment?
Treatments for bladder cancer have important benefits, including prolonging life and improving your quality of life.
However, treatments also have side effects. It’s important to be aware of the side effects and talk to your doctor about ways to manage them.
Chemotherapy doesn’t just kill cancer cells. It also kills healthy cells. As a result, common side effects of chemotherapy include:
Surgery comes with certain risks, such as infection and blood loss.
Immunotherapy can have a range of side effects, depending on the type of immunotherapy used. The most common side effects include:
Some people also develop flu-like symptoms with immunotherapy.
How long does advanced bladder cancer treatment last?
Treatment options for advanced bladder cancer vary from person to person. The length of treatment depends on the overall treatment goals.
In general, most people with advanced bladder cancer receive chemotherapy for 6 to 12 months, depending on how long it takes to reduce cancer cells.
The length of time for immunotherapy also varies depending on the stage of cancer and how your body reacts to treatment.
For example, you may receive treatment every day for 2 or 3 weeks and then take a rest period before restarting treatment.
Treatment can prolong life for people living with advanced bladder cancer. However, in many cases, the disease tends to progress.
Your doctor may recommend that you continue to receive treatment to improve your quality of life.
As the cancer progresses, your doctor may suggest palliative care. You can continue treatment for the cancer while also receiving palliative care, notes the Bladder Care Advocacy Network (BCAN).
Palliative care is aimed at addressing the physical, emotional, and social aspects of the condition.
It can treat specific physical symptoms, such as nausea and fatigue. It can also help improve your overall quality of life and help you manage stress related to the condition.
How effective are treatments for bladder cancer?
There’s currently no cure for metastatic bladder cancer. For bladder cancer that’s spread to distant areas of the body, the 5-year survival rate is 5 percent, according to the
.
The goals of treatment at this stage are usually to:
Does insurance cover advanced bladder cancer treatments?
In general, health insurance plans cover cancer treatments, but they may not cover the entire cost. Different plans may cover different amounts, and some may not cover certain types of treatment, especially experimental treatments.
For example, your health insurance policy will likely cover the cost of:
You may have a deductible, which is an amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance covers the bill.
Some insurance policies don’t cover immunotherapy.
To receive this type of treatment, your insurance provider may have to approve this therapy. Talk with your health insurance company to better understand your specific coverage.
If you participate in a clinical trial, your insurance company will likely cover things like your usual doctor visits.
The trial itself will usually cover the cost of the experimental treatment, any additional doctor visits, or any testing that needs to be done as a part of the study.
Can making lifestyle changes help me manage advanced bladder cancer?
Along with following a treatment plan, certain lifestyle changes can make living with advanced bladder cancer a little easier. Even with limited strength and energy, there are some things you can do to feel better.
For example, eating a healthy, balanced diet can help you maintain your physical strength and boost your immune system.
A stronger immune system can help your body fight off infections, which is especially important while you’re in treatment.
Some people find dietary supplements helpful while receiving treatment for cancer. Be sure to talk with your doctor before taking dietary supplements.
Staying physically active is also important. Exercise can help:
If you smoke, and you haven’t already, you should also quit smoking. The chemicals found in both cigarette and cigar smoke can accumulate in your urine and cause further damage to your bladder.
The takeaway
A diagnosis of advanced bladder cancer can come as a shock.
However, treatment can help:
It’s important to work with your doctor and discuss your options. Make sure you understand the side effects of each treatment, as well as what you can expect before, during, and after treatment.
Share this article
related stories
University of Colorado football coach Deion Sanders shared he was successfully treated for bladder cancer after having his bladder removed. 'Coach… akkadian surname origins
OUR BRANDS