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Bladder cancer - muscle invasive

Bladder cancer has different stages of growth. Treatment depends on the stage of the tumor. If the tumor grows in the muscle layer of the bladder, we call it muscle invasive bladder cancer. If the tumor only grows in the cavity of the bladder and not in the muscle layer, it is called non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Read more about the symptoms and the examinations and treatments for muscle invasive bladder cancer on this page.

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AVL Bladder Cancer Center

At the NKI Bladder Cancer Centre, you will receive the best possible care for bladder cancer. You will be treated according to the latest scientific insights, with access to innovative treatment methods and ongoing research.
Read more about the Bladder Cancer Center

Learn more about muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Symptoms of muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Bladder cancer (usually) grows slowly. In the beginning it causes few or no complaints. The tumor is often discovered by chance. Blood in the urine is never normal. Go to the doctor immediately if you see that.

Especially in women, blood in the urine, along with recurrent urinary tract infections, can be a sign of bladder cancer. Then you must be referred to the hospital for diagnostic testing.

Symptoms of muscle-invasive bladder cancer at a later stage may include:

  • Pelvic pain
  • Pain in the side (flank)
  • Weight loss
  • Palpable swelling (mass) in the lower abdomen

Bladder cancer check-ups

After any cancer treatment, monitoring or follow-up is essential to minimize complications and to detect and treat recurrent cancers (recurrences) early. The first check-up appointment is three months after the treatment and you will arrange the follow-up check-ups with your urologist. Your urologist is also the point of contact for questions about the disease or related topics.

Aftercare

Bladder cancer can have a major impact on the lives of patients and their loved ones. In bladder cancer, patients often have to deal with specific problems, such as urinary problems or sexuality, in addition to the complaints that occur in cancer patients in general, such as fatigue, pain, limitations in social life and various psychological problems such as anxiety and insecurity. You can contact our Centre for Quality of Life for this.

Examination and diagnosis

To be able to diagnose muscle-invasive bladder cancer, various tests are possible. Your doctor will discuss with you which diagnostic tests are needed:

Cytoscopie

Cystoscopy
CT Scan handen

CT scan
MRI scan

MRI scan
Nucleaire geneeskunde pet

PET/CT scan

Bladder cancer treatment

The treatment you receive depends on the type of tumour. Your health and fitness also play a role. The doctor will explain well in advance what is going to happen and you will have plenty of time to ask questions.

Below are the treatment options for each type of muscle-invasive bladder cancer:

Treatment for locally/locally advanced bladder cancer

In locally or locally advanced bladder cancer, the tumor is located in the muscle layer of the bladder (T2), in the surrounding fatty tissue (T3) or in the nearby organs such as the prostate, uterus, or tissue of the pelvic floor or abdominal wall (T4). The standard treatment is surgery to remove the bladder (this is called a radical cystectomy). Sometimes you will receive chemotherapy first. If there are no metastases, the goal of treatment is to cure the disease.

TUR for bladder cancer

Bladder removal surgery / cystectomy

Chemotherapy

Radiotherapy for bladder cancer

Chemoradiation

Treatment for metastatic bladder cancer

In the case of metastases, the cancer is also in other organs or lymph nodes outside the pelvis. Then healing is usually no longer possible. Treatment is aimed at inhibiting the growth of the tumor and reducing symptoms (palliative care). The choice of palliative treatment depends on your complaints and wishes. The treatment is then intended to slow down the cancer as much as possible and to keep the symptoms under control.

You will receive one or more of the following treatments:

Radiotherapy for bladder cancer

Chemotherapy

Chemoradiation

Bladder removal surgery / cystectomy

Waiting

We want to inform you as well as possible about the waiting time per condition. We do this based on a prognosis of the current waiting list. The waiting time can vary from patient to patient for various reasons. Your attending physician will give you more information during your outpatient consultation.

  • 9 days

    First appointment

    This is approximately how long it will take until you have your first appointment

  • 8 days

    Rapid diagnostics

    This is approximately how long it will take before you can start rapid diagnostics at the NKI

  • 16 days

    Second opinion

    This is approximately how long it will take before you come in for a second opinion at the NKI

Read more about your first appointment or second opinion

Make an appointment

Second opinion or transfer

Disclaimer

This translation was generated automatically based on information in Dutch. It has not been reviewed by a medical specialist. The purpose of this translation is to make our information accessible to non-Dutch speakers. However, this information should not be considered a substitute for medical advice from your treating physician. The Netherlands Cancer Institute cannot guarantee the accuracy of this translation. For medical questions or advice, please consult your physician.

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