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Treatment Options for Bladder Cancer
Treatment of Superficial Bladder Cancer
- Thiotepa - seldom used in the U.S. due to serious side-effects
- Doxorubicin
- Epirubicin
- Valrubicin - this is the drug of choice for carcinoma in situ (Stage Tis) who do not respond to intravesical BCG immunotherapy
- Gemcitabine - currently under investigation
Intravesical therapy usually involves weekly instillation of the drug into the bladder via a catheter for 6 to 8 weeks. During each treatment, the patient retains the drug in the bladder for up to two hours after which it is excreted. Subsequent "maintenance" courses of intravesical therapy (i.e., BCG) may be required as deemed necessary by your doctor.
Side-effects associated with intravesical BCG immunotherapy may include:
- Inflammation of the bladder (cystitis) is the most frequent side-effect and occurs in about 90% of patients
- Hematuria - occurs in about 30% of patients
- Fever
- Malaise
- Nausea
The most common side-effects associated with intravesical Mitomycin C chemotherapy include:
- Cystitis - occurs in about 40% of patients
- Allergic skin reactions - occurs in up to 15% of patients
