PROSTATE CANCER AND BLADDER CANCER
Bladder Cancer
Patients with bladder cancer may be treated with either surgical removal of the bladder (cystectomy) followed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or by radiation therapy and chemotherapy with the bladder intact. Research studies are frequently in progress involving new ways to treat bladder cancer.
In most cases surgical removal of the bladder is recommended. When treatment with radiation therapy and chemotherapy is likely to be effective, the usual program is to treat the patient with approximately 6 months of chemotherapy and 7 weeks of external beam radiation therapy. Radiation therapy usually begins after 2 months of chemotherapy. Radiation treatments are usually given once a day, 5 days per week, for 7 continuous weeks. Chemotherapy is given several times during the course of radiation treatment. Side-effects of radiation therapy for bladder cancer may include fatigue, diarrhea, and irritation with urination.
