Bladder removal surgery, called radical cystectomy, is the main treatment for bladder cancer that has spread into the muscle. Like any major surgery, it comes with some risks and can be challenging for patients. If your doctor has suggested this surgery, we encourage you to join our virtual or in person education session. In this session, you will learn more about bladder cancer, the different treatment options, and how to make the decision that is right for you. This session was created by doctors to help people who are newly diagnosed understand their choices and feel more prepared for treatment.

This is a 1.5 hour group information session for people who have recently been diagnosed with bladder cancer. Family members and partners are welcome to join. The session is led by a team of cancer doctors, including a urologist, a radiation oncologist, and a medical oncologist. They will talk about the diagnosis, treatment options, and possible side effects.

Bladder Cancer Statistics

In 2024, about 12,300 people in Canada were newly diagnosed with bladder cancer. Not all bladder cancer needs to be treated by removing the bladder. The right treatment depends on each person’s specific situation.

Most people (about 75 percent) are diagnosed with an early form of bladder cancer called non muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). This means the cancer has not spread deep into the bladder wall. These cases are usually treated with a surgery called transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), where the tumor is removed by scraping it from the inside of the bladder. Some patients may also need extra treatment after surgery. This could include putting a type of chemotherapy or bacillus Calmette Guérin (BCG), a medicine that helps the immune system fight cancer, into the bladder. This is done by putting a small tube (catheter) into the bladder through the urethra, which is the tube where urine comes out. The medicine stays in the bladder for about an hour and is usually given on a set schedule.

However, about 25 percent of people are diagnosed with a more serious type called muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). This kind grows deeper into the bladder wall and spreads faster. If not treated, it can spread to other parts of the body and become life threatening. For this kind of cancer, doctors usually recommend surgery to remove the bladder, called a radical cystectomy. Some people may also have chemotherapy before surgery to help improve results. Another option for certain patients is called trimodal therapy, which combines chemotherapy and radiation instead of bladder removal. This is only possible in select cases.

Additional Resources

bcan.org/facing-bladder-cancer/what-is-bladder-cancer/
bladdercancercanada.org/en/bladder-cancer/what-is-bladder-cancer/

Upcoming Session Dates

Click here for a list of upcoming sessions