Why choose Geisinger for bladder cancer care?
You’ve gotten a bladder cancer diagnosis. So what’s next? First off, your cancer journey is personal. That means we’ll get to know you and your treatment goals — and beyond — before anything else.
Then our multidisciplinary team will work with you to develop a care plan built around your needs and your specific type of cancer. No one’s cancer is exactly the same, so no treatment should be, either. And we do our best to make the most of your visits, scheduling all your specialist appointments in 1 location and on the same day, whenever possible.
Whether you need chemotherapy, radiation, minimally invasive surgery or a combination, we’ve got you covered. You’ll also have access to clinical trials that offer new treatments before they’re widely available.
Treatments and services we offer
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FAQs
What is bladder cancer?
What are the types of bladder cancer?
There are 3 main types of bladder cancer:
- Urothelial carcinoma: This common type makes up about 90% of bladder cancer.
- Adenocarcinoma: This rare cancer affects the cells in the lining of the bladder.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: This is the rarest and most aggressive type.
What are some symptoms of bladder cancer?
The symptoms of bladder cancer vary depending on stage. Some symptoms are:
- Blood in your urine (an early sign)
- Frequent urination
- Having a strong urge to “go,” but not being able to
- Painful or burning urination
These symptoms don’t always mean you have bladder cancer. But if you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor to find the underlying cause so you can get treatment.
What are the risk factors for bladder cancer?
Risk factors that increase your chance of developing bladder cancer include:
- Smoking or using smokeless tobacco, cigarettes and pipes
- Family history
- Age and gender (being over 55 and male)
- Chronic bladder problems
- Race (white men have a higher risk)
- Other factors include:
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Environmental exposure to certain industrial chemicals
- Previous treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy
How do you diagnose bladder cancer?
Diagnostic tests for bladder cancer include:
- Biopsy: Examining tissue samples for signs of cancer
- Blood or urine tests: Checking for abnormalities
- Cystoscopy: Viewing your urethra, bladder and surrounding areas to look for cancerous cells
- Imaging tests: Producing pictures of the inside of your bladder and urethra with MRIs, CT scans and PET scans to check tumor size, growth and spread
- Urine cytology: Analyzing your urine to look for cancerous cells
How do you treat bladder cancer?
Depending on the type, location and stage of your cancer, we may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
Surgery: Surgery is a common method of treating bladder cancer. The latest techniques, including minimally invasive surgery, have better outcomes, like faster healing and reduced pain.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a drug-based treatment designed to shrink or slow the growth of tumors. To keep you comfortable during treatment, we built our clinics with heated seats and individual TVs.
Radiation therapy: Radiation oncology uses radiation to control or destroy harmful cancer cells. Our radiotherapy treatments include:
- External beam radiation
- Internal radiation
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
- Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)
- Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)
Biological/immunotherapy: This treatment uses medicines that help your immune system find and destroy cancer cells.
Clinical trials: Our cancer research and clinical trials give you access to new treatments, often before they become widely available. Participating in a trial may help improve your condition, even if standard approaches haven’t worked in the past.
Bladder cancer care at Geisinger
Throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania, we’re here to help you through your bladder cancer diagnosis, treatment and beyond. We offer:
- Comprehensive specialty care: From chemotherapy and radiation to immunotherapy and minimally invasive surgery, you’ll get innovative treatment options and personalized care from a multidisciplinary team of bladder cancer specialists — close to home.
- Clinical trials: Our cancer research and clinical trials give you access to new treatments before they become widely available. Participating in a trial may help you get better even if standard approaches haven’t worked.
- Genetic testing and counseling programs: Our cancer genetics programs can tell you if you face a higher-than-normal cancer risk. The MyCode® Community Health Initiative, for example, detects the earliest signs of certain cancers so you can start treatment right away.