6 common treatments for superficial bladder cancer

Among patients diagnosed with bladder cancer for the first time, superficial bladder cancer accounts for more than half. For the treatment of these patients, the commonly used methods currently include transurethral bladder tumor resection, bladder tumor resection, intravesical instillation therapy, photodynamic therapy, intracavitary hyperthermia, laser therapy, etc.

1. Transurethral resection of bladder tumors: Most superficial bladder cancers can be treated with transurethral resection of bladder tumors to completely remove the visible tumor while preserving bladder function.

2. Bladder tumor resection: Bladder tumor resection can be divided into local resection and partial resection according to the scope of resection. Patients with superficial bladder tumors who are not suitable for transurethral bladder tumor resection can undergo open bladder surgery.

3. Intravesical instillation therapy: Commonly used drugs for intravesical instillation therapy include BCG, cisplatin, interferon, interleukin-2, etc.

4. Photodynamic therapy: Photodynamic therapy refers to the use of laser irradiation of a certain wavelength to treat superficial bladder cancer and carcinoma in situ. Hematoporphyrin derivatives are often used as photosensitizers, but skin photosensitivity reactions often occur, so light avoidance for 6-8 weeks after treatment is required.

5. Intracavitary hyperthermia: Intracavitary hyperthermia refers to the use of a catheter with microwaves generated at the tip to be inserted into the bladder, so that the temperature inside the bladder reaches 42.5℃~45.5℃, while chemotherapy drugs such as mitomycin are infused at the same time.

6. Laser treatment: Laser treatment can be performed under bladder surface anesthesia, which will not stimulate the obturator nerve and cause accidental damage. Superficial bladder tumors can be directly treated with holmium laser, and laser removal can also be used in transurethral surgery. However, this treatment method cannot directly obtain tissue pathology specimens.