Bladder Cancer

Bladder Cancer: treatments, trials & survival

Bladder cancer has seen recent treatment advances with immunotherapy. Learn about treatment options, clinical trials, and what to expect.

New Cases (2024)
83,190
5-Yr Survival
77.9%
Annual Deaths
16,840
Trend
Stable
See active trials

About Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer has seen recent treatment advances with immunotherapy. Learn about treatment options, clinical trials, and what to expect.

According to the National Cancer Institute’s SEER database, an estimated 83,190 new cases of bladder cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2024, with approximately 16,840 deaths. The overall 5-year relative survival rate is 77.9%.

Source: NCI SEER Data: 1975–2022

Treatment options

Current treatment approaches for bladder cancer depend on the stage at diagnosis, tumor characteristics, and the patient’s overall health. The most common options include:

1
Surgery (TURBT, Cystectomy)
2
Intravesical Therapy (BCG)
3
Chemotherapy
4
Immunotherapy (Pembrolizumab, Avelumab)
5
Radiation Therapy
6
Targeted Therapy (Erdafitinib)

Treatment recommendations should always be discussed with a qualified oncologist. The options listed above are based on current clinical guidelines and may vary case by case.

Stages

Staging describes the extent of cancer in the body and is crucial for planning the most appropriate treatment:

Non-muscle-invasive (Stage 0, I) Muscle-invasive (Stage II, III) Metastatic (Stage IV)

Known risk factors

Understanding risk factors can support prevention and early detection. Known risk factors for this cancer include:

Smoking
Chemical exposure (aromatic amines)
Chronic bladder infections
Age
Male sex
Previous cancer treatment

Not sure where to start?

A patient navigator familiar with bladder cancer can help you understand your options and connect you with top US hospitals. Free & confidential.

Active clinical trials

Clinical trials offer access to cutting-edge treatments not yet widely available. The trials below are sourced in real time from ClinicalTrials.gov:

Frequently asked questions

The 5-year relative survival rate for bladder cancer is 77.9%. Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, which accounts for about 75% of cases, has a much higher survival rate.
BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) is an immunotherapy instilled directly into the bladder. It stimulates the immune system to attack cancer cells and is the standard treatment for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, and avelumab are FDA-approved for advanced bladder cancer. Avelumab is approved as maintenance therapy after chemotherapy.
Bladder cancer has one of the highest recurrence rates. About 50-70% of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancers recur, requiring regular surveillance with cystoscopy.
You’re not alone

Looking for bladder cancer treatment options?

A patient navigator can help you explore treatment pathways, find clinical trials near you, and connect with specialists who see bladder cancer every day. Free, confidential consultation.

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