Health Information
Bladder Cancer
Medications
Medicines may be used to control the growth of bladder cancer cells and to relieve symptoms. These medicines may be taken by mouth, injected into a vein (Reference intravenous, or IV Opens New Window), or delivered directly into the bladder using a catheter.
- Reference Chemotherapy Opens New Window uses medicines to destroy cancer cells.
- Reference Immunotherapy Opens New Window, also called biological therapy, uses medicines that cause your body's Reference immune system Opens New Window to attack cancer cells in your bladder. It is most often used for early-stage bladder cancer. It may also be used after a transurethral resection (TUR) to help keep cancer from coming back.
Most chemotherapy causes some Reference side effects. Home treatment may be all that is needed to manage your symptoms. But some people may need Reference medicines to control nausea and vomiting.
Medication choices
Chemotherapy medicines
- Reference Gemcitabine and Reference cisplatin
- MVAC, a combination of Reference methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin
- Reference Mitomycin, which may be used to help keep cancer from coming back
Immunotherapy medicines
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