Bladder cancer occurs when cancerous cells abnormally grow within the tissues of the bladder. Common symptoms of bladder cancer include blood within the urine, lower back pain, frequent urination or pain while urinating, explain National Cancer Institute health professionals. Bladder cancer treatment options involve surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or biological therapy. Patients interested in surgery options for bladder cancer treatment should consult a doctor for additional information.
Transurethral Resection
Patients with early stage bladder cancer can undergo transurethra resection to remove cancerous cells from the bladder. Transurethra resection, or TUR, is a surgical procedure that utilizes a small, lighted tube called a resectoscope to remove cancer cells, explain medical professionals with the American Cancer Society. The resectoscope is inserted into the bladder through the urethra, the thin tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. The light on the end of the resectoscope allows the surgeon to identify cancerous cell growth within the bladder. Once identified, these cancer cells are removed with a small wire loop that is attached to the end of the resectoscope. Patients typically return home the same day of treatment and experience mild discomfort or pain after undergoing this form of bladder cancer surgery.
Segmental or Radical Cystectomy
A cystectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of bladder tissue. Patients with a low-grade bladder tumor can undergo a form of surgery called segmental cystectomy. This type of cystectomy allows a surgeon to remove a portion of the bladder wall, explain NCI medical professionals. Patients with more invasive forms of bladder cancer may require a radical cystectomy. This surgical procedure involves the complete removal of the bladder and surrounding tissues, such as the lymph nodes, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, uterus or ovaries. While patients who undergo segmental cystectomy retain the ability to urinate voluntarily, patients who undergo radical cystectomy typically require more extensive surgery to construct a path to divert the flow of urine out of the body.
Reconstructive Surgery
Patients who have their entire bladder removed during a radical cystectomy typically require reconstructive surgery. This form of surgery is often called urinary diversion or urostomy. To reconstruct the bladder, a surgeon may use a portion of the small intestine to form a tube that allows urine to pass out of a small opening present on the outside of the patient's body called a stoma, explain health professionals with the University of Maryland Medical Center. Alternatively, a portion of the small intestine can be used to create a urine storage pouch within the patient's body. A small tube called a catheter is connected to this storage pouch, allowing urine to pass from the pouch through the stoma.
A new reconstructive surgery method involves the creation of a neobladder from a piece of intestine that is connected to a patient's urethra. This allows urine to pass out of the body normally, through the urethra, rather than through a stoma, explain ACS medical professionals.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Bladder Cancer - Treatment
- National Cancer Institute: Bladder Cancer Treatment
- American Cancer Society: Bladder Cancer - Treating Bladder Cancer Topics - Surgery
- UpToDate: Bladder Cancer Treatment Options
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Bladder Cancer - Treatment Options - Surgery
