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Bladder cancer

Treatment for bladder cancer

Your treatment depends on several factors including the stage of your bladder cancer. The stage describes how far the cancer has grown into the bladder and whether it has spread to other areas.

Preparing for treatment and life afterwards (prehabilitation)

There are things you can do to help you feel more in control of your health when preparing for treatment. This is called prehabilitation or prehab.

Treatment for non muscle invasive bladder cancer

Non muscle invasive bladder cancer means the cancer cells are only in the bladder’s inner lining. You usually have surgery to remove the cancer. You may have further treatment into the bladder.

Treatment for muscle invasive bladder cancer

Muscle invasive bladder cancer means the cancer has spread into or through the muscle layer of the bladder. The main treatments include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Treatment for metastatic bladder cancer

You might have treatment to help with symptoms and to control the cancer. Treatments include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.

Last reviewed: 23 Jun 2025

Next review due: 23 Jun 2028

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