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Bladder cancer - non-muscle invasive

Bladder cancer has different stages of growth. Treatment depends on the stage of the tumor. 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. This type of cancer is also called urothelial carcinoma. Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer grows from the mucous membrane, the inner layer of the bladder. The tumor is on the surface of the bladder wall. This is an early stage of bladder cancer.

Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer is the most common. About 75 out of 100 people with bladder cancer have this form.

A tumor does grow in the muscle layer of the bladder, is called it muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Read more about the symptoms, examinations, and treatment of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer on this page.

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NKI 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 current research.
Read more about the Bladder Cancer Center

Learn more about non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

Symptoms of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer does not cause pain in the bladder area. It almost never leads to urinary tract complaints. If there are signs or symptoms, it often involves:

  • Blood in the urine (most common)
  • Irritation during urination
  • More frequent urination

There are complaints that can indicate a more extensive, muscle-invasive tumor:

  • 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 Center for Quality of Life for this.

Examination and diagnosis

Various tests can diagnose or rule out non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Your physician 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

Once all the test results are known, you will have a conversation with the urologist. The urologist will discuss the results and the diagnosis with you. The urologist also discusses whether additional tests are needed.

The urologist will discuss with you:

  • The results of the studies
  • Your risk profile (low, medium or high)
  • A preliminary treatment plan

Together you will look at the possible treatments. The final treatment plan depends on your risk profile, your health and what you discuss with the urologist.

The standard treatment is a TUR bladder procedure. This is a small operation in the bladder. Sometimes additional treatments are needed. That depends on your risk profile:

  • Low-risk: one bladder lavage
  • Medium risk: multiple bladder lavages
  • High-risk: a TUR bladder and multiple bladder lavages.

Treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

You will receive one or more of the following treatments.

TUR for bladder cancer
IV infuus

Bladder irrigation

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.

  • 14 days

    First appointment

    Your first appointment will be planned within approximately 6 days.

  • 9 days

    Rapid diagnostics

    It will take approximately 9 days before you can start rapid diagnostics

  • 14 days

    Second opinion

    It will take approximately 14 days before you can come in for a second opinion

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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