Non-Invasive Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma

Non-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma, or also known as superficial bladder cancer, is the most common type of bladder cancer. This type of bladder cancer is found in the cells that line the inside of the bladder and can generally be cured by surgery or targeted treatments. Although the tumor is not as aggressive as invasive cancer, non-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma can become invasive if not treated and monitored.

Some common symptoms of non-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma include blood in the urine (hematuria), frequent or intense urge to urinate, and/or painful urination. Your doctor will typically provide medical imaging tests (X-ray, CT Scan, MRI, etc.) to detect the presence of abnormal tissue or tumors within the bladder.

Treatment for non-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma depends on the size and location of the tumor. Generally, the usual approach for treatment is a combination of surgery (transurethral resection of bladder tumor, TURBT), chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy. TURBT is the most common procedure used to diagnose and treat bladder cancer.

For small tumors, other procedures such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) or intravesical therapy (IT) may be used. PDT involves applying a light-activated drug to the tumor, while IT involves injecting a chemotherapy drug directly into the bladder.

Follow-up care is important for any patient with non-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma. Your doctor will likely recommend that you visit them every few months for check-ups. It is also important to have imaging tests regularly in order to monitor the tumor and for early detection of any potential recurrence.

Additional treatments may be necessary for larger tumors or those with higher risk for recurrence. These may include TURBT with adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation, radical cystectomy, or systemic chemotherapy.

Some precautionary measures that can be taken to reduce your risk of developing non-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma include quitting smoking, drinking plenty of water, and limiting your exposure to certain chemicals such as paint fumes, gasoline, and pesticides.

Advantages of Non-invasive Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma

The tumors are not as aggressive as invasive bladder cancer.
Treatment for non-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma can usually be cured with surgery or targeted treatments.
Follow-up care is important for early detection of any potential recurrence.
Small tumors may be treated with photodynamic therapy or intravesical therapy.
Precautionary measures can be taken to reduce the risk of bladder cancer.