Winning Against Bladder Cancer

For more than a decade, Hoag Cancer Center has been the number one provider for urologic malignancies in Orange County, including providing care for the highest volume of bladder cancer patients. With a multidisciplinary approach that includes prevention, early detection, the use of standard and promising new therapies, participation in laboratory and clinical research and extensive complementary care, the team at Hoag Cancer Center provides bladder cancer patients with every diagnostic and therapeutic advantage.

Hoag’s comprehensive site-specific bladder cancer program provides:

Higher than national figure survival rates
Highly skilled and specialized physicians
Treatment and Technology
- Minimally invasive surgery
- High-tech radiation therapy capabilities
- The latest in systemic therapy
- Treatment of metastatic disease
Multidisciplinary Case Conference
Clinical Trials
Cancer Support Groups
Hereditary Cancer Program

Survival Rates

The superior care provided to Hoag bladder cancer patients is illustrated by our five-year relative survival rate which is 17 percentage points higher than the most recent national figure.

Earlier diagnosis accounts for most of this difference. More than 88 percent of Hoag patients have in situ or local disease at diagnosis, compared to only 74 percent nationally. The majority of Hoag patients have only carcinoma in situ at diagnosis, which is associated with a 100 percent relative five-year survival rate.

Medical Staff Expertise

Hoag’s expert team of board-certified urologic cancer surgeons, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists provides the latest in state-of-the-art surgical procedures and treatment options for patients with bladder cancer.

As part of Hoag’s multidisciplinary approach to bladder cancer, the medical team conducts periodic cancer case conferences in which experts from all disciplines gather together to review cases from every angle to ensure the latest knowledge in cancer treatment is applied.

Additionally, Hoag’s expert medical staff is complemented by its highly trained team of certified oncology nurses. Dedicated to delivering patient-centered care, Hoag’s nursing staff ranks high among the nation’s top nurses, as validated by Hoag’s designation as a Magnet™ hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Hoag-Affiliated Bladder Cancer Experts

Obtaining your cancer care from a medical team that treats a high volume of patients with your specific cancer type has its advantages – namely, successful patient outcomes.

Studies show that physicians who treat large numbers of patients with a specific disease achieve better patient outcomes. Hoag physicians treat and manage more bladder cancer patients than any other facility in Orange County. Hoag’s expert medical team and long tradition of high survival rates are just two reasons why patients diagnosed at Hoag remain at Hoag for treatment.

Diagnostics

Hoag urologists are experts in cytoscopy and utilize the latest techniques to diagnose and treat bladder cancer.

Hoag’s state-of-the-art diagnostic services give patients convenient access to a full spectrum of technologies that enable doctors to pinpoint the nature and extent of the disease – and the best treatment plan for each individual patient.

Hoag’s sophisticated imaging technology and expert radiologists provide an essential component of service. Detailed images of the tumor site contours and dimensions help physicians determine an accurate diagnosis and develop an effective treatment plan. Hoag offers leading-edge, minimally invasive technology that allows physicians to evaluate the presence of cancer, which has spread beyond the original site.

Some of the advanced imaging techniques at Hoag include:

Cystograms
PET Scanning (Positron Emission Tomography) with CT/PET fusion capability
Computerized Tomographic (CT) scanning, including spiral CT
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) is sometimes useful in the diagnosis and staging of various cancers and disease processes

Treatment/Technology

Hoag Cancer Center’s expert medical team works together to determine the best course of treatment for each individual patient. From minimally invasive surgical options to the latest in state-of-the-art radiation therapy and systemic therapy, Hoag’s comprehensive approach to bladder cancer has resulted in outstanding survival rates.

Surgery

Surgical resection of early bladder tumors or cystecomy is often the only treatment needed for bladder cancer patients. During 2005-2006 the following Hoag-affiliated urologists performed the majority of bladder cancer surgeries: Drs. Bae, Freedman, Holevas, Barme, Sheiner, Gilbert and Solomon.

Radiation Oncology

Radiation therapy is often used in the treatment of regionally advanced bladder cancer. Hoag Cancer Center’s radiation oncology program is yet another example of the center’s commitment to excellence in treatment. The entire first floor of the cancer center is dedicated to radiation oncology, where its highly specialized team of medical experts delivers the latest in state-of-the-art radiation therapy to patients. For a complete list of radiation oncology services, please click here.

Systemic Therapy

Systemic therapy is an important component of care for those few patients who have advanced disease at diagnosis and for patients who eventually progress to have metastatic disease. Hoag has 30 board-certified medical oncologists on staff. Each of whom is committed to providing the latest in systemic therapy options to patients. During 2005-2006, the Hoag-affiliated medical oncologists in good standing with Hoag Cancer Center, Drs. Vandermolen, Mahdavi, Nanci and Barth participated in the management of the highest number of bladder cancer patients.

Treatment of Metastatic Disease

Although it is uncommon to detect metastatic bladder cancer at the time of diagnosis, many patients eventually develop metastatic bladder cancer. Local therapies are often used to eliminate certain depots of metastatic bladder cancer.

For patients with small numbers of metastases to the liver, surgical resection, radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation and tomotherapy are all treatment options, in addition to systemic therapy or intrahepatic chemotherapy.

Isolated lung metastases may be treated by surgical resection, preferably video-assisted thoracic surgery, radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation or radiation therapy.

Bone metastases are typically treated with radiation therapy, while brain metastases can usually be effectively treated by Gamma Knife.

With the availability of all these treatment options, the outlook for patients with metastatic cancer is more hopeful than ever.

Multidisciplinary Case Conference

Hoag’s multidisciplinary urologic cancer case conferences take place twice monthly and provide collaborative care planning for bladder cancer patients. This cancer case conference brings together a multidisciplinary team of bladder cancer specialists, including urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, nurses and support staff to review cases from every angle to ensure the latest knowledge in cancer treatment is applied.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are sometimes available for bladder cancer. To learn more about Hoag Cancer Center’s Clinical Trials Department and the clinical trials currently available, please click here.

Family and Friends Cancer Support Group

This support group provides a unique forum in which patients are able to share concerns and learn more about cancer and its treatment. Designed for cancer patients and their support persons, this group focuses on sharing information and mutual support. The group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in Hoag Cancer Center Conference Room A. To view Hoag Cancer Center’s Monthly Events Calendar, please click here.

Hereditary Cancer

Nearly all cases of bladder cancer are due to environmental causes; however, if there are multiple family members with bladder cancer (or cancer of the ureter), or if the onset was under age 40 and there is a strong family history of other early-onset cancers, then a referral for hereditary cancer risk assessment may be indicated. Genetic testing for bladder cancer is available on a research basis only.

For more details about Hoag’s Hereditary Cancer Program, including a list of frequently asked questions, please click here or contact us at hereditarycancer@hoaghospital.org or at 949/764-5764.

Cancer Education

To learn more about bladder cancer, please visit the National Cancer Institute Website.

Patient Stories

This area is currently under development.

Newly diagnosed with bladder cancer?

Looking for information about bladder cancer treatment?

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