Latest Bladder Cancer News

Gemzar® and Taxol® Effective First-line Therapy for Previously Untreated Bladder Cancer (05/27/2009)
The combination of Gemzar® (gemcitabine) and Taxol® (paclitaxel) is an effective first-line treatment for bladder cancer, according to an early online publication of Cancer.

Delaying Surgery Shortens Survival in Stage II Bladder Cancer (03/13/2009)
Among patients with Stage II bladder cancer, those who undergo surgery more than 12 weeks after diagnosis have a higher risk of death. These results were published in the journal Cancer.

Herceptin® Evaluated in Advanced Bladder Cancer (03/18/2008)
According to the results of a Phase II clinical trial, Herceptin® (trastuzumab)—a targeted therapy used in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer—may have a role in the treatment of HER2-positive advanced bladder cancer. Larger studies will be necessary to further evaluate Herceptin in bladder cancer.

Update on the Management of Genitourinary Malignancies (10/12/2007)
A Report from the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Improved Outcomes with Higher Volumes for Radical Cystectomy (08/03/2007)
According to an early online publication in the Journal of Urology, patients with bladder cancer who undergo surgery to remove their bladder have improved outcomes if they receive treatment at a medical center where large volumes of these procedures are performed. 

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Latest Bladder Cancer by Stage
Recurrent

Intravesical Taxotere® Effective in Recurrent Superficial Bladder Cancer (07/21/2006)
According to an article recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, administration of the chemotherapy agent Taxotere® (docetaxel) directly into the bladder appears to be an effective treatment option for patients with early bladder cancer that has recurred following standard therapies.

Molecular Technique May Improve Detection of Bladder Cancer Recurrences (05/22/2006)
According to a review published in the journal Urology, a laboratory technique known as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) may allow for earlier and more complete detection of bladder cancer recurrence.

Addition of NMP22® BladderChek® Improves Detection of Recurrent Bladder Cancer (01/18/2006)
According to a recent article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the addition of the NMP22® BladderChek® test to cystoscopy improves the detection of recurrent bladder cancer compared to cystoscopy alone.

Aggressive Surgical Treatment of Bladder Cancer Benefits Patients over the Age of 80 (09/09/2004)
Researchers from the University of Michigan have reported that aggressive surgical management of bladder cancer in patients over the age of 80 may improve survival.

Alimta® Provides Responses in Recurrent Bladder Cancer (12/01/2003)
According to results presented at the Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium XXI, Alimta® (pemetrexed) appears to be an active agent in the treatment of recurrent bladder cancer.

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Screening/Prevention

Screening for Bladder Cancer from Age 50 and Older Reduces Mortality (11/06/2006)
According to results recently presented at the 2006 annual meeting of the American Urologic Association (AUA), screening individuals over the age of 50 years for bladder cancer reduces mortality.

Home Screening May Reduce Death from Bladder Cancer (11/06/2006)
According to results recently published in the journal Cancer, at-home screening for bladder cancer may reduce deaths from the disease among men who are 50 years or older.

Children’s Exposure to Second-hand Smoke Increases Risk of Bladder Cancer (10/18/2006)
According to an article recently published in the International Journal of Cancer, individuals who smoke and children who are exposed to second-hand smoke are at an increased risk of developing bladder cancer.

Occupational Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Linked to Increased Cancer Risk (09/18/2006)
According to a review published in the Annals of Oncology, occupational exposure to a class of chemicals known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons may result in a modestly increased risk of lung or bladder cancer.

Smoking Increases Bladder Cancer Risk (09/13/2006)
According to a study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, risk of bladder cancer increases with duration and amount of smoking.

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Stage IV/Metastatic

Gemzar® and Taxol® Effective First-line Therapy for Previously Untreated Bladder Cancer (05/27/2009)
The combination of Gemzar® (gemcitabine) and Taxol® (paclitaxel) is an effective first-line treatment for bladder cancer, according to an early online publication of Cancer.

Herceptin® Evaluated in Advanced Bladder Cancer (03/18/2008)
According to the results of a Phase II clinical trial, Herceptin® (trastuzumab)—a targeted therapy used in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer—may have a role in the treatment of HER2-positive advanced bladder cancer. Larger studies will be necessary to further evaluate Herceptin in bladder cancer.

Update on the Management of Genitourinary Malignancies (10/12/2007)
A Report from the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Gemzar® and Eloxatin® Promising for Advanced Bladder Cancer (08/21/2006)
According to an article recently published in the Annals of Oncology, the chemotherapy combination consisting of Eloxatin® (oxaliplatin) and Gemzar® (gemcitabine) is an effective and well-tolerated regimen for advanced bladder cancer. Patients who are not able to tolerate chemotherapy regimens including Platinol® (ciplatin) may be considered candidates for Eloxatin/Gemzar.

High-Volume Hospitals Offer Better Outcomes After Radical Cystectomy and Radical Prostatectomy (05/08/2006)
Among patients undergoing radical cystectomy (removal of bladder) or radical prostatectomy (removal of prostate), the probability of dying during hospitalization was lower at hospitals that performed a greater number of these specific procedures (high-volume hospitals). Hospital volume was not linked with in-hospital mortality after radical nephrectomy (removal of kidney). These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

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Stages 0-I

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Immunotherapy is Superior to Mitomycin for Treatment of Superficial Bladder Cancer (02/16/2007)
The optimal treatment for prevention of recurrence of superficial bladder cancer or the prevention of progression to more malignant cancers in patients with superficial bladder cancer is under study. BCG is the standard treatment of superficial bladder cancer utilizing the instillation of BCG into the bladder over a prolonged period of time following transurethral resection. Other forms of local treatment to control superficial bladder cancer include photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy instilled directly into the bladder. One chemotherapy agent, mitomycin, prevents recurrence of superficial bladder cancer and was recently evaluated in a clinical study.

Age Influences Response to Bladder Cancer Immunotherapy (06/19/2006)
Among patients with superficial bladder cancer, response to intravesical immunotherapy (immunotherapy drugs administered directly into the bladder) appears to decline with age. These results were published in The Journal of Urology.

Repeated Surgery May Benefit Patients with Stage I Bladder Cancer (05/23/2006)
Among patients with stage I bladder cancer, repeated transurethral resection may improve patient outcomes. These results were published in The Journal of Urology.

High-Volume Hospitals Offer Better Outcomes After Radical Cystectomy and Radical Prostatectomy (05/08/2006)
Among patients undergoing radical cystectomy (removal of bladder) or radical prostatectomy (removal of prostate), the probability of dying during hospitalization was lower at hospitals that performed a greater number of these specific procedures (high-volume hospitals). Hospital volume was not linked with in-hospital mortality after radical nephrectomy (removal of kidney). These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

More Patients, Better Outcomes After Surgery for Urological Cancer (01/24/2006)
Patients have better outcomes after surgery for urological cancers (such as prostate or bladder cancer) if they are treated at hospitals or by surgeons that treat a larger number of urological cancer patients, according to an article in The Journal of Urology.

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Stages II-III

Delaying Surgery Shortens Survival in Stage II Bladder Cancer (03/13/2009)
Among patients with Stage II bladder cancer, those who undergo surgery more than 12 weeks after diagnosis have a higher risk of death. These results were published in the journal Cancer.

Update on the Management of Genitourinary Malignancies (10/12/2007)
A Report from the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Improved Outcomes with Higher Volumes for Radical Cystectomy (08/03/2007)
According to an early online publication in the Journal of Urology, patients with bladder cancer who undergo surgery to remove their bladder have improved outcomes if they receive treatment at a medical center where large volumes of these procedures are performed. 

Markers Associated with Risk for Recurrence in Bladder Cancer (02/05/2007)
According to an article recently published in the Lancet Oncology, “markers” may help to predict the risk of cancer recurrences among patients with bladder cancer who are treated with a radical cystectomy.

Gemzar® and Eloxatin® Promising for Advanced Bladder Cancer (08/21/2006)
According to an article recently published in the Annals of Oncology, the chemotherapy combination consisting of Eloxatin® (oxaliplatin) and Gemzar® (gemcitabine) is an effective and well-tolerated regimen for advanced bladder cancer. Patients who are not able to tolerate chemotherapy regimens including Platinol® (ciplatin) may be considered candidates for Eloxatin/Gemzar.

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