Types of Medication

Biologic therapy uses the body's own immune system to fight cancer. Biological therapy (also called immunotherapy) is often used for early stage bladder cancer after a procedure or surgery to remove the cancer cells. This helps prevent the cancer form coming back.

In biologic therapy, the doctor puts the medicine directly into the bladder through a catheter in the urethra. The medicine is held in the bladder for an hour or two and then urinated out.

The most common biological medicine for bladder cancer is BCG. BCG is a weak germ called bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). BCG irritates the inside of the bladder. This attracts immune cells to the bladder to kill the cancer cells. It is one of the most effective therapies for treating early bladder cancer. This therapy can cause flu-like symptoms, chills, mild fever, fatigue, and a burning sensation in the bladder. BCG treatment is usually done once a week for 6 weeks.

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy drugs used to treat bladder cancer are instilled directly into the bladder or are given intravenously. In general, early stage cancers are more likely to be treated with chemotherapy instilled in the bladder.

Intravenous therapy is used for more advanced cancers. Often, combinations of different chemotherapy drugs are tried. Intravenous therapy means giving medicine through a needle into the vein. It is systemic therapy because the drugs flow through the bloodstream to nearly every part of the body. It is useful in treating cancer that has spread beyond the bladder to lymph nodes and other organs. Systemic chemotherapy is usually given in stages so that you can recover after a treatment period.

Medications to relieve pain and nausea related to treatment are also important during therapy for bladder cancer and will be prescribed by your doctor.

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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.