Options in the surgical treatment of bladder cancer

In general, bladder cancers may be divided into two classes: superficial and invasive. Superficial cancers can be treated without systemic chemotherapy or radical surgery. However, until recently, treatment of invasive cancers usually involved removal of the bladder and construction of an ileal conduit. Newer methods of treatment focus on preservation and reconstruction. In this article, surgical procedures that incorporate these goals and other treatment options, specifically chemotherapy and radiation therapy, are discussed, and the individual needs of patients are emphasized.