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Supportive Care for all Stages of Bladder Cancer in Northern California

As bladder cancer grows, it progresses through different stages. The five stages of bladder cancer represent the extent of the tumor, such as its size and location within your body. As the cancer advances, the number increases. At Dignity Health North State, identifying your cancer’s stage is part of your diagnosis.

Our trained doctors are skilled at diagnosing the different stages of bladder cancer to understand the best outcome. Find a Doctor who can identify your bladder cancer stage in Northern California.

 

Diagnosing the Stages of Bladder Cancer

Your doctor may use a variety of diagnostic tests to determine the tumor’s stage. This may include imaging tests, a biopsy, or a cystoscopy, a procedure that allows your doctor to examine inside your bladder.

Several factors make up the stage of your bladder cancer, including:

  • If the cancer is in your lymph nodes
  • If the cancer has spread to other organs
  • How deep the tumor has invaded your bladder wall

Sometimes, the extent of the cancer is not completely known until part of the tumor is removed during surgery. The biopsy results from this procedure are often more accurate.

 

Stages of Bladder Cancer & Treatment at Dignity Health North State

The following bladder cancer stages will affect how your doctor chooses a treatment.

Stage 0

In this stage, the cancer is confined within the bladder’s lining. Surgery to remove the tumor is the usual treatment for stage 0 bladder cancer. Or, your doctor may recommend intravesical therapy, which involves injecting cancer-killing drugs directly into your bladder.

Stage I

Stage I bladder cancer has spread into the layer of tissue under the bladder’s lining. Surgery and intravesical therapy are effective at killing cancer at this stage.

Stage II

The tumor has spread deeper into the bladder wall but hasn’t reached the lymph nodes. A complete or partial bladder removal may be needed to remove the cancer.

Stage III

Treatment for stage III bladder cancer usually involves a complete bladder removal, since the tumor has spread beyond the bladder and possibly to reproductive organs. If you aren’t a candidate for surgery, we have other treatment options, such as radiation and chemotherapy.

Stage IV

For stage IV bladder cancer, your doctor may recommend chemotherapy with or without radiation as a main treatment. Reducing the symptoms is the primary goal for treatment at this stage. 

Choosing a treatment for bladder cancer is a collaborative experience at Dignity Health North State. Because we’re committed to open communication and your overall well-being, your doctor will explain your diagnosis and how it will affect your treatment. Reach out to us today for comprehensive supportive care for bladder cancer.