None invasive surgery

Hi Sue. The surgery to remove bladder tumours (TURBT) is the gold standard first step in bladder cancer treatment. A procedure which has been done for over 50 years, although a bit more refined these days. As yet, as far as I know, no one has come up with a viable alternative. Research funds for BC are much lower than other cancers. Alternatives such as chemotherapy can work to mop up after a TURBT but not effective enough on full blown tumours. I had 2 initial TURBTs but as my tumour was deep in to the lining, they could not get it all out. I then had six weeks of chemotherapy. This halted the growth but did not eradicate it. so I went on to six weeks of daily radiotherapy. Thankfully for many people it is caught early and so a TURBT with some follow up treatment is all that is needed. Following the TURBT is usually a chemo bladder wash to mop up any rogue cells from  travelling. The TURBT procedure itself is fairly routine and in most cases done in day surgery. Hopefully, one day, someone will come up with something new. Best wishes.

Hi Sue

At the very least you would need a biopsy so that the grade and stage of the cancer can be determined. From that analysis, a treatment plan can be offered. Bladder cancer is notorious for returning, often more aggressively and can then metastase to other parts of the body so not having a biopsy or a TURBT may put you at greater risk.

I had a TURBT with a Mitomycin wash out, then two months later started three months of chemotherapy designed to mop up any cells that may have escaped into my bloodstream. Following that, I had a cystectomy and now, nearly four years later, remain free of cancer.

Having a recommended course of treatment is probably the best course of action but it's your choice and you can ask about alternatives such as intravenous immunotherapy, or have no treatment at all though I can't recommend that. 

I believe that the future treatment of all cancers most likely lies in immunotherapy but it's still early days for this.

CB