The bladder is a hollow organ with walls made up of several tissue layers. Each layer is made up of different types of cells. Bladder cancer starts when cells in one of the wall’s layers starts to grow out of control. In time, a tumor can form, multi-layers can be affected, and the cancer can spread to other parts of the body. Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the U.S.

Bladder cancer is often detected because of blood in the urine. Blood could turn the urine orange, pink, or even dark red. Another symptom of bladder cancer is pain or burning during urination. Also, having trouble urinating or feeling like you need to go right away, but your bladder is not full. The treatment to eradicate bladder cancer will depend on how much it has spread. Thankfully, there are several options to choose from to stop its deadly course. A person with bladder cancer has a few treatment options, which may include:

1. Intravesical therapy
Intravesical Therapy is the injection of a liquid drug directly into the bladder through a catheter via the urethra. The cancer cell killing drug stays in the bladder for up to two hours. This treatment is only used in the early stages of bladder cancer, when the cancer is only in the innermost layer of the bladder. The drugs are not able to penetrate to the outer layers. Sometimes, Intravesical Therapy is used in conjunction with the physical removal of a tumor to diminish the chances of the cancer recurring. It may also be an option if for some reason a tumor cannot be physically removed.

2. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy treatment is used when the cancer has spread outside of the bladder. The drugs used to give a boost to your natural immune system to fight off cancer cells. Cancer cells have the innate ability to trick your immune system by appearing to be friendly. The drugs used in Immunotherapy inhibit cancer cells from being able to fool your immune system. Therefore, your body’s defenses are able to recognize and attack cancer cells throughout your system.

3. Radiation therapy
Radiation damages cancer cells and keeps them from reproducing. Radiation therapy is administered in two forms; external and internal. The external form is done by a machine to concentrate high energy rays directly to the cancer site. The internal form is the placement of a small amount of radioactive material in or close to the cancer. To be completely effective, radiation therapy is used in conjunction with chemotherapy.

4. Bladder reconstruction
In the situation where the bladder has to be removed (cystectomy), then a replacement bladder can be formed. A bladder reconstruction is done by using a part of either the small or large intestine. Once the bladder has been removed, the surgeon will take a small part of one of the intestine’s and reshape it into the bladder. It is placed where the original bladder was and attached to the ureters and urethra tubes. Control of the new “bladder” takes time, gaining better control over a period of one to two years.