Bladder Clinics
Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is 11th most common cancer in the UK, with over 10,000 people diagnosed each year. (Cancer Research UK)
The most common type of bladder cancer is called urothelial bladder cancer. It is also called transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). It starts in cells called urothelial or transitional cells in the bladder lining. Bladder cancer may be non-muscle-invasive, muscle-invasive or advanced.
Bladder cancer symptoms
- Blood in the urine is the most common symptom of bladder cancer. 8 out of 10 people with bladder cancer have some blood in their urine (it is called haematuria) (Cancer Research UK)
- Increased Frequency
- Increased Urgency
- Weight loss
- Tiredness
At East Midlands Urology, we specialise in providing rapid access to advanced diagnostics and treatments for a range of bladder problems.
These includes:
- Blood Tests
- Cystoscopy
- Biopsies
- Ultrasound
- CT Scans/ CT urogram
- PET/CT
- MRI
- TURBT (transurethral resection of bladder tumour)
Treatment of bladder cancer
Treatment depends on how deeply the cancer has grown into the bladder wall. Based on the type of bladder cancer, you may need surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy—or a combination of these.
At East Midlands Urology, our expert team works closely to create a personalised treatment plan that’s right for you. The two main types of bladder cancer are:
Non muscle invasive bladder cancer
This means the cancer is in the inner lining of the bladder and has not spread into the muscle.
Muscle invasive bladder cancer
This means the cancer has grown into or through the bladder muscle.
Surgery
In men, surgery normally removes the prostate gland and glands that store semen (seminal vesicles). This is because bladder cancer can come back in this area. In women, the surgery consists of usually removing the womb and fallopian tubes. Sometimes the surgeon removes your ovaries and part of the vagina. After surgery, there are several ways to pass urine.
- a bag outside the body to collect urine (urostomy or ileal conduit)
- a internal pouch to collect urine (continent urinary diversion)
- a new bladder constructed (bladder reconstruction)
- a internal pouch allowing urine to pass through the back passage (rectosigmoid pouch)
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is normally given before surgery or radiotherapy to shrink the tumour. It helps the treatment work better and also lowers the risk of cancer coming back later. Chemotherapy can also be given during radiotherapy (chemoradiation) which improves the efficacy of radiation. Sometimes chemotherapy is given after surgery when it was not given before surgery.
If the cancer has spread beyond the bladder (advanced bladder cancer), Chemotherapy is often the primary treatment option.
Radiotherapy
The aim of this is to destroy the cancerous cells through the use of high energy x-rays whilst still trying to preserve the healthy cells. Radiotherapy can be given on its own or combined with chemotherapy (chemoradiotherapy). Radiotherapy treatment normally takes between 4 to 6 and a half weeks.
At East Midlands Urology we have access to the most advanced radiotherapy techniques like intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and (volumetric modulated arc therapy) VMAT which help to improve outcomes and reduce side effect from the treatment.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy drugs help the immune system to attack cancer. It is an advanced treatment for bladder cancer when chemotherapy treatment is not ideal for patients due to fitness or poor kidney function, or if the cancer continued to grow after chemotherapy.
Book a consultation
Whether you have private medical insurance or are a self-funding patient, you can be seen and treated quickly.