Bladder Cancer Treatment in Utah

Bladder cancer is a disease of the urinary tract. The bladder is a hollow organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine, the waste that is produced when the kidneys filter the blood.

Bladder Cancer Symptoms:

There are several symptoms of bladder cancer. These include:

• Blood in the urine, known as hematuria. This is the most common bladder cancer symptom. Often, hematuria causes the urine to appear rusty or deep red. Other times, it cannot be seen by the naked eye. Hematuria is not a sure sign of bladder cancer, since it can be a sign of other medical problems like a kidney stone or urinary tract infection. Every person with hematuria should see a doctor.
• Frequent urinary tract infections
• Pain in flank, the section of the back between the ribs and the hip bone
• Painful urination
• Frequent urination. This can occur because the tumor prevents the bladder from completely emptying during urination.
• Urinary hesitancy, or difficulty beginning to urinate.
• Having a more powerful urge to urinate.

These symptoms do not always mean you have bladder cancer. However, it is important to discuss any symptoms with your doctor, since they may signal other health problems.

Bladder Cancer Treatment Options:

At Utah Cancer Specialists, you receive personalized bladder cancer care from some of the nation’s leading specialists. A team including urologists, surgeons and radiation oncologists work together to plan your treatment and recovery.

Your bladder cancer care is customized to incorporate the most advanced therapies, including:

• Surgery is part of almost every bladder cancer patient’s treatment. 
• Chemotherapy works by killing fast-growing cells, including cancer cells.
• Radiation therapy uses focused, high-energy photon beams to destroy cancer cells.
• Intravesecal therapy treatment is used to treat superficial bladder cancer.
• Gene therapy uses genes to treat or prevent cancer from growing.