Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is common and often highly curable, but a diagnosis can still feel scary and overwhelming. Knowing you have a team of highly regarded specialists on your side, including the region’s only fellowship-trained urologists, can make all the difference. With advanced diagnostic tests, less invasive surgeries and a compassionate approach, the team at UMass Memorial Health helps you move forward with hope and confidence.

Types of Bladder Cancer We Treat

We deliver personalized care for all forms of bladder cancer, including:

• Adenocarcinoma, a rare cancer originating in cells lining the bladder
• Metastatic bladder cancer that starts in the bladder and spreads to other areas
• Squamous cell bladder cancer, which forms in the bladder lining
• Transitional cell cancer, which forms in the lining of the urinary tract, including the bladder, ureters, and renal pelvis
• Upper urinary tract urothelial cancer, which affects the bladder’s connection to the kidneys

Bladder cancer is also classified by how far it spreads into the bladder:

• Non-muscle invasive (most common) occurs in the first layers of the bladder lining
• Muscle invasive (rare) grows through the muscle layer of the bladder wall

Our Bladder Cancer Services

UMass Memorial Medical Center is among the few programs in the region delivering comprehensive bladder cancer treatment. Our multidisciplinary team and specialized services ensure you receive seamless care and support. Offerings include:

Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor (TURBT)

Urologists use a minimally invasive procedure, transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), to take a sample of bladder tissue. Genitourinary pathologists evaluate the tissue sample under a microscope to confirm the cancer type and severity with a high degree of accuracy. These capabilities help you receive the most appropriate treatments for your diagnosis.

Cancer Genetics

Some bladder cancers are passed down in families through gene changes (mutations). Cancer genetic testing helps us check for these mutations. Knowing the tumor’s genetic makeup helps us tailor therapies to your unique needs.

Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgical technologies enable us to remove cancerous tissue and perform reconstructive procedures with the utmost precision. We may also remove nearby lymph nodes to determine whether the cancer has spread.

Intravesical Therapies

We deliver treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy directly to the bladder through a small tube (catheter). This method lowers the risk of cancer returning with fewer side effects. UMass Memorial Medical Center is one of the only programs in the region offering this option.

Radiation Therapy

Our nationally recognized program uses the best available bladder cancer treatments, including brachytherapy. This technique places radioactive seeds inside or near the bladder to safely deliver high doses of radiation directly to the cancer. Get more information about radiation therapy.