As Georgia’s largest and most comprehensive cancer program, Northside Hospital Cancer Institute (NHCI) is an experienced provider of cancer care for individuals diagnosed with bladder cancer.
Bladder cancer is cancer that starts in the bladder. The bladder is a hollow organ in the lower abdomen or pelvis. Its main function is to hold and release urine. Bladder cancer often starts from the cells lining the bladder. These cells are called transitional cells.
Bladder cancers are classified by the way they grow:
Since the presence of bladder cancer can cause more noticeable symptoms than some other types of cancer, it can often be found early. Symptoms of early stage bladder cancer can include:
Symptoms of more advanced bladder cancer can include:
The exact cause of bladder cancer is not known, but there are several risk factors that make a person more likely to develop bladder cancer, including:
As part of our comprehensive approach to cancer prevention and education, Northside offers Built To Quit, a smoking and tobacco cessation program offering resources to help individuals quit smoking and stop using other tobacco products. For additional information please call 404-780-7653 or email smokingcessation@northside.com or click on the button below to register online for an upcoming class.
Northside Hospital’s Cancer Genetics Program is available to patients interested in genetic counseling and testing due to strong personal or family histories of certain genetic factors that can cause bladder cancer. Our team of certified genetic counselors help patients assess, understand and reduce the risk of developing certain types of genetically influenced cancer such as bladder cancer. For additional information, please call 404-851-6284 or email genetics@northside.com.
Bladder cancer incidence is increasing both nationally and here in Georgia. In 2018, it was expected that nearly 2,000 Georgians would be diagnosed with bladder cancer.
Northside’s Prostate and Urologic Cancer Program uses the following tests and procedures to diagnose bladder cancer after a physical examination (including a rectal and pelvic exam) has been completed:
If tests confirm that bladder cancer is present, additional tests will be done to see if the cancer has spread. This is called staging. Staging helps providers guide future treatment and determine appropriate follow-up care.
The strength of Northside Hospital Cancer Institute’s Prostate and Urologic Cancer Program is our multidisciplinary team of dedicated, specially trained urologic cancer specialists who work together to provide individualized medical care for each cancer patient. Northside’s urologic cancer care team offers a comprehensive scope of medical services, the latest technology, leading-edge clinical research and compassionate cancer support. Our prostate and urologic cancer multidisciplinary care team consists of:
Our urologic cancer experts meet regularly to prospectively discuss bladder cancer patients and agree upon evidence-based Bladder Cancer Treatment Options for each patient. This forum provides our medical specialists with the opportunity to discuss specific bladder cancer cases, national treatment guidelines and each bladder cancer patient’s unique life circumstances in order to develop an effective cancer treatment plan.
Our Prostate and Urologic Cancer Program team is committed to providing high quality treatment options to bladder cancer patients and to making access to cancer care as convenient as possible. Every case of bladder cancer is different and treatment options can vary. Several factors play a role in determining the most appropriate course for treating the disease – age and health of the patient, stage of the disease, and benefits and side effects of each treatment option.
Northside Hospital Cancer Institute bladder cancer specialists and supportive cancer care team members work together to ensure all patients receive a personalized, evidence-based treatment plan specific to their cancer needs.
Expand the content below to learn more about each bladder cancer treatment option.
Learn more about Cancer Treatment Options available at NHCI
Bladder cancer treatment and recovery can be overwhelming, which is why we have oncology nurse navigators to guide you every step of your cancer journey. Northside Hospital Cancer Institute’s nurse navigators are registered nurses with extensive knowledge and training in oncology, available to help guide patients after bladder cancer diagnoses and through treatment, educating and supporting cancer patients to make informed decisions. The cancer patient navigation team works with radiologists, pathologists, urologists, oncologists and other urologic cancer specialists to coordinate treatment.
Support provided by oncology nurse navigators includes:
To learn more about oncology patient navigation or to speak with an oncology nurse navigator, please call 404-300-2800 or email nurse.navigator@northside.com.
Ongoing support is crucial when facing bladder cancer and afterward. Northside Hospital Cancer Institute provides a full range of support and survivorship programs and services to address the unique needs of each cancer patient.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ALL OF OUR NHCI SUPPORT & SURVIVORSHIP SERVICES
