Intravesical Therapy

Intravesical therapy uses special medications placed directly into the bladder to destroy cancer cells. This medication may be a liquid chemotherapy drug, which kills cancer cells, or a type of bacteria (BCG), which causes the body's own natural defenses (immune system) to attack the bladder cancer (biologic therapy).

At Cooper Cancer Institute, our physicians offer world class cancer care and have extensive experience with intravesical therapy.

Understanding the treatment

With intravesical therapy a small, flexible tube is used to fill the bladder with a liquid medication. This medication is held in the bladder for a certain period of time and then eliminated through urination.

This therapy is generally given weekly for six to eight weeks. Depending on the medication, a person may also need to take antibiotics to help prevent infection.

Indications for the treatment

Intravesical therapy may be an option for a hard-to-remove tumor in the bladder. It may also be used following bladder surgery to help keep the cancer from coming back.