How to treat bladder cancer metastasis

Treatments for bladder cancer metastasis include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, and the specific plan needs to be formulated according to the patient's condition.

1. Surgical treatment

After bladder cancer metastasizes, surgery remains an important treatment option. For patients with localized metastases, radical cystectomy may be required, along with removal of the surrounding affected lymph nodes. For patients with distant metastases, surgery is mainly used to relieve symptoms, such as pain relief or urinary tract obstruction. In some cases, removal of metastases can also prolong survival.

2. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is one of the main treatments for bladder cancer metastasis. Commonly used drugs include cisplatin, gemcitabine, and paclitaxel. These drugs control the disease by inhibiting the growth and spread of cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be used alone or in combination with surgery or radiotherapy to improve the efficacy. For patients who cannot undergo surgery, chemotherapy is an important means of prolonging survival.

3. Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is mainly used to relieve pain or other symptoms caused by bladder cancer metastasis, such as bone metastasis or brain metastasis. For patients with localized metastasis, radiotherapy can reduce the size of the tumor and relieve compression symptoms. Radiotherapy can also be used in combination with chemotherapy to enhance the therapeutic effect.

4. Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy is a treatment that targets a specific gene mutation or protein. For some people with bladder cancer, targeted drugs such as erdafitinib or pembrolizumab may work. These drugs work by blocking the growth signaling pathways that cause cancer cells to control the disease. Targeted therapy is often used for people who don’t respond to or can’t tolerate chemotherapy.

5. Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy works by activating the patient's own immune system to attack cancer cells. Commonly used drugs include PD-1 inhibitors and CTLA-4 inhibitors, such as nivolumab and ipilimumab. Immunotherapy has shown good efficacy in patients with bladder cancer metastasis, especially those who have not responded to chemotherapy.

The treatment of bladder cancer metastasis requires a personalized plan based on the patient's specific situation. Early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment are the key to improving survival rate and quality of life. Patients should actively cooperate with doctors for treatment and pay attention to maintaining good living habits, such as quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet and exercising moderately to enhance their body's resistance.