Bladder dysfunction & Bladder Cancer
At South Coast Urology we will ensure you get to discuss the most appropriate treatment options with one of our 7 expert surgeons who regularly treat your condition.
Bladder Dysfunction
Bladder dysfunction can have a huge impact on an individual’s quality of life. We can guide you through all of your options and help you decide on which suits you best.
These generally start with lifestyle measures, often relating to drinking habits and regulating the bowel. Several medications can be options and occasionally bladder installations. Some endoscopic operations can be both diagnostic and therapeutic including BOTOX if appropriate.
If your bladder doesn’t drain, then we have a variety of different catheter options. We work with an excellent nursing team who can support you with these and even teach you how to place a catheter if necessary.
Bladder Cancer
Most bladder cancers are superficial at diagnosis. They are usually not life threatening if treated appropriately but can be annoyingly recurrent. Some are more invasive or have a greater potential to be so. The South Coast Urology team work at University Hospital Southampton which is the NHS regional cancer centre. This is also true for our radiology, oncology and pathology colleagues, which means you, and all aspects of your pathway, are in the care of true experts.
The initial operation is a TURBT (transurethral resection of bladder tumour). This is performed under anaesthetic using an endoscope via the urethra. Electrocautery is used the shave the tumour from the bladder wall. This provides a pathological diagnosis and for superficial tumours often completes the treatment.
If a tumour is high risk for returning or invading into the bladder wall then further bladder installation treatments such as BCG immunotherapy or Mitomycin C topical chemotherapy may be suggested.
Some patients may require more major surgery to remove the whole bladder. Radiotherapy can be an alternative option and chemotherapy is often given in addition before either treatment.