There are different types of treatment for patients suffering from bladder cancer. Some treatments are standard and some treatments are being tested in clinical trials. The treatment depends on the stage of the disease, the type of cancer and the patient.s age and health. Four types of standard treatments are used:

1. Surgery: Transurethral resection with fulguration is a type of surgery in which a cystoscope, a thin lighted tube is inserted into the bladder through the urethra. Then a tool which has a small wire loop at the end is used to remove the cancer or to burn the tumor with high energy electricity called as fulguration.

Radical cystectomy: This type of bladder cancer treatment is a surgery to remove the bladder, lymph nodes and nearby organs containing cancer. This type of surgery is done when the bladder cancer affects the muscle wall or when superficial cancer involves a large part of the bladder. If the cancer spreads outside the bladder and cannot be removed completely, then only the bladder may be removed surgically to reduce urinary symptoms caused by cancer. Another way is created to remove the urine from the body.

Segmental Cystectomy: In this type of bladder cancer treatment part of the bladder is removed surgically. This treatment is given to patients having low-grade tumor that has invaded the wall of the bladder. Patients are able to urinate normally after recovering from this surgery. Urinary diversion is a surgery done to make a new way for the body to store and pass urine.

2. Radiation therapy: In this type of bladder cancer treatment, high-energy X-rays are used to kill the cancer cells or stop them from growing. In external radiation therapy, a machine outside the body is used to send the radiation towards the cancer. In internal radiation, radioactive substances sealed in needles, wires or catheters are placed directly into or near the cancer.

3. Chemotherapy: Drugs are used to stop the growth of cancer cells in bladder cancer treatment by chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is either given by mouth or injected through a vein. The drug enters the bloodstream and reaches the cancer cells throughout the body. Bladder cancer treatment is also given by intravesical chemotherapy.

4. Biological therapy: Biologic therapy, also called as biotherapy or immunotherapy uses the patients. immune system to fight cancer. Substances made by the body or in the laboratory are used to boost the natural defenses of the body against cancer.

5. Chemoprevention: In this kind of bladder cancer treatment, drugs, vitamins and other substances are used to reduce the risk of development of cancer or coming back.

6. Photodynamic therapy: A drug and certain type of laser light are used to kill cancer cells in this kind of bladder cancer treatment. A drug which becomes active after exposed to light is injected into a vein. Fiberoptic tubes are used to carry laser lights to the cancer cells. The drug becomes active and kills the cancer cells. There are very less chances of healthy tissues getting damaged by this treatment.