Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (includes Ta, T1, CIS tumors)

Chemotherapy

Intravesical chemotherapy

Suitable for most people to treat non-invasive bladder cancer, where the cancer has not spread into the muscle wall of the bladder

Chemotherapy drugs are put directly into the bladder to kill actively growing cancer cells that are not removed during the TURBT

• Usually given within 24 hours after a TURBT procedure to kill any cancer cells that may be left in the bladder
• Because it kills cancer cells in the lining of the bladder, it can be used to treat early–stage bladder cancer where the cancer cells have not spread into the muscle wall of the bladder. But it won’t affect cancer cells that have grown beyond the bladder lining, for example in the surrounding tissues or organs

Liquid medication is put directly into the bladder via a thin tube, called a catheter

• Irritation and a burning feeling in the bladder
• Blood in the urine

Treatment with intravesical chemotherapy is often given within 6–24 hours following a TURBT procedure