Question 1

What is the first sign of bladder cancer?

Accepted Answer

Blood in the urine (hematuria) is usually the first sign. It is often painless. The urine may look pink, red, or tea colored. Sometimes blood is only found on a lab test.

Question 2

How is bladder cancer diagnosed and staged?

Accepted Answer

Bladder cancer is usually diagnosed by biopsy or cystoscopy. A doctor will look inside the bladder with a camera and remove any suspicious tumors for analysis. Imagine tests are used to see how far cancer has spread.

Question 3

Which surgeries treat bladder cancer?

Accepted Answer

Surgery depends on the stage of cancer. For early tumors, surgeons perform TURBT. If the cancer has invaded the muscle layer, more extensive surgery may be required: either a partial cystectomy or a radical cystectomy. After removing the bladder, doctors create a new way for urine to exit either an internal pouch or an external ostomy bag.

Question 4

Is bladder cancer curable in stage 1?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Stage 1 bladder cancer is often cancer-causing. The usual treatment is TURBT followed by intravesical therapy (like BCG).

Question 5

What are the common chemotherapy drugs for bladder cancer?

Accepted Answer

Bladder cancer chemotherapy is usually based on platinum drugs. The most common combination is gemcitabine + cisplatin. Another regimen is MVAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, cisplatin). These regimens attack cancer cells throughout the body.

Bladder Cancer