All about early and advanced bladder cancer

The way early and advanced bladder cancer are separated is when you have a tumour removed. If the tumour has invaded the bladder, it is advanced bladder cancer. Surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy are all offered for early bladder cancer. Advanced bladder cancer is when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs and liver. This is classified as stage 4 bladder cancer.

Immunotherapy can be quite effective for patients with advanced bladder cancer. All different stages of bladder cancer are treatable. Early bladder cancer can be routinely treated. Advanced bladder cancer can sometimes not be cured, but can be effectively managed.

The symptoms of early bladder cancer might be non-existent. Blood in the urine and pain passing water are sometimes reported in cases of early bladder cancer. Fatigue and pain are also common symptoms in advanced bladder cancer.

For early bladder cancer, treatments are based on curative therapies (such as radiotherapy or prostatectomy) before we start with chemotherapy and surgery. For most people, managing side effects of chemotherapy for early bladder cancer can be challenging. Symptoms include fatigue, lethargy, and general unwellness. To manage this, the specialist will stop the treatment until the patient feels well enough again to continue the chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment.

If you are someone who smokes, you should stop immediately after being diagnosed with bladder cancer. It is also advisable to avoid exposure to chemicals. Eating a wide variety of fruit and vegetables can really help the body fight off disease. Maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular exercise are also recommended.