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metastatic bladder cancer

Metastatic Bladder Cancer: Exploring Treatment Options

Krista Bugden | Nov 7, 2024
Health

Treatments for Metastatic Bladder Cancer

When cancer cells spread outside of the bladder, this is known as metastatic bladder cancer. While survival rates drop to 8% in this case, there are still treatment options available.

Chemotherapy

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is often the first-line treatment for metastatic bladder cancer. Cisplatin is an anti-cancer medication that disrupts the growth of cancer cells.

However, it’s worth noting that chemotherapy is a tough treatment. You will likely experience side effects, such as nausea, loss of appetite and more. It’s important to ensure that, despite not being hungry, you eat regular, healthy and balanced meals throughout your treatment. This will help supper your body in the best way possible.

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Immunotherapy

Checkpoint inhibitors are shown to be an effective treatment for bladder cancer. These may be used in later treatment, such as when the body doesn’t respond to chemotherapy, and throughout your treatment to aid the immune system in the fight against the cancer.

Radiation Therapy

External beam radiation therapy is the most common type of radiation treatment used for bladder cancer. This is frequently given alongside chemotherapy. And it’s done, as per any treatment, by an experienced and qualified medical team who is able to target the radiation beams at the cancer effectively. Most often, this type of treatment is done five days a week for many weeks.

Surgery

In rare cases, surgery to remove metastases might be considered for controlling symptoms and preventing the spread of the cancer. However, this is generally less common in the metastatic stage.

Clinical Trials

New drug combinations, therapies and more are coming out all the time. Yet, it takes a bit of research to understand the availability, accessibility, costs and potential risks of these new experimental treatments. However, for many, these clinical trials may offer a ray of hope.

How Effective is Treatment?

The truth is the effectiveness of treatment largely depends on the individual and their specific cancer (such as where the cancer has spread to). After a diagnosis, the best thing you can do is discuss your options with your medical team. From here, beginning treatment as soon as possible is essential to give you the best chance.

If all treatment options have been exhausted, the cancer may be deemed terminal. From here, it’s important to get your affairs in order, such as updating your will. It’s also beneficial to make a palliative plan, such as pain management and symptom management, as the condition progresses.

Yet, if you’re currently facing a metastatic bladder cancer diagnosis, don’t lose hope. Each treatment is tailored to each individual, and your doctor will guide you through the success rates regarding each as well as deem what is best for you. As stated throughout this article, every person is different, and so is their cancer diagnosis and treatment journey.

What is Metastatic Bladder Cancer?

Bladder cancer happens when the bladder cells grow abnormally or excessively. This forms a tumor, which can cause issues with the function of the bladder. But this cancer can also spread.

As mentioned above, metastatic bladder cancer—also known as advanced bladder cancer—is when the cancer cells have spread outside the bladder into other areas, which may include the lungs, bone, muscle, lymph nodes and more.

Of course, this can be devastating news. But it’s worth noting that no two people are alike, and treatment is possible. Treatment and treatment success can also greatly vary between individuals.

How Long Can You Live with Metastasized Bladder Cancer?

Unfortunately, with an advanced bladder cancer diagnosis, the five-year survival rate is around 8%. However, if the cancer cells have only spread to the lymph nodes, survival rates drastically improve to around 39%.

Advanced Bladder Cancer Symptoms

So, what signs should you watch out for? Advanced bladder cancer may give way to the following symptoms:

  • Blood in urine.
  • Pain or burning when urinating.
  • Frequent urination.
  • An urge to urinate at night.
  • An urge to urinate but not able to.
  • Lower back pain on one side.

While these symptoms can be alarming, they aren’t fully unique to bladder cancer. Many other types of cancers and diseases can also cause these issues. Either way, if you have any of these signs, it’s crucial to get checked out by your healthcare provider.

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