Bladder Cancer Melbourne

Bladder cancer is characterised by the abnormal growth of cells in the lining of the bladder. It is one of the most common types of urinary tract cancer and can be classified into two main types based on its depth of invasion: non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Each type requires a different approach to management.

For care and consultation, Melbourne Urologist Dr. Marlon Perera is here to assist you with treatment plans.

Management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC)

Muscle-invasive bladder cancer indicates that the cancer has penetrated the muscular layer of the bladder and may have spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes. Management of MIBC generally involves more aggressive treatment options:

Radical Cystectomy: Radical cystectomy is the gold standard treatment for MIBC. It involves the surgical removal of the entire bladder along with nearby lymph nodes. In men, the prostate is also removed, and in women, the uterus, ovaries, and part of the vagina may be removed. Reconstruction of the urinary tract (neobladder, ileal conduit, or continent reservoir) is necessary to divert urine after bladder removal.
Bladder-Sparing Approaches: In select cases, bladder-preserving approaches may be considered for MIBC, where a combination of TURBT, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy is employed to preserve the bladder while effectively treating the cancer.

Management of muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC)

Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer refers to tumours that are confined to the superficial layers of the bladder lining without invading the muscle wall. The management of NMIBC typically involves the following strategies:

Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumour (TURBT): This is the primary treatment for NMIBC. During TURBT, the surgeon removes the visible tumour using a cystoscope inserted through the urethra. It is both diagnostic and therapeutic, as the tumour samples obtained are sent for pathological evaluation to determine the cancer stage and grade.
Intra-vesical Therapy: After TURBT, some patients may receive intra-vesical therapy, which involves instilling immunotherapy or chemotherapy drugs directly into the bladder. This approach helps prevent tumour recurrence and progression by targeting any remaining cancer cells.
Surveillance: Following initial treatment, patients with NMIBC undergo regular cystoscopic surveillance to monitor for tumour recurrence or new lesions. Surveillance frequency depends on the tumour characteristics and risk of recurrence.