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Live Life On Your Terms

When abnormal cells grow out of control in your body, they can form a cancer tumor that crowds out your healthy cells. When this occurs in the bladder, it's known as bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer can occur at any age, but usually affects older adults and men more than women. However, a large majority of cases are diagnosed at an early stage when the disease is highly treatable. Unfortunately, bladder cancer is also likely to re-occur. Because of this survivors of the disease often undergo follow-up tests for years.

In advanced stages, bladder cancer cells can spread to other parts of your body. This is known as metastasis, and can be very serious. That’s why it’s important to begin treating the cancer as early as possible.

Find hope in knowing the compassionate, expert teams at the AdventHealth Cancer Institute and Global Robotics Institute are here to help.

Together, da Vinci® surgery technology and your doctor have the ability to perform complex procedures through just a few small openings.
Headshot of Dr Vipul Patel

About Dr. Patel

Dr. Patel is world-renowned for his contribution to the field of robotic-assisted surgery. He is one of the most experienced robotic surgeons in the world and has personally performed more than 17,000 robotic prostatectomies.

Dr. Patel has developed techniques in robotic surgery that have translated to improve patient care and outcomes. His innovations have helped to improve cancer treatment and return of early urinary continence and sexual function.

Dr Patel authored the first textbook on robotic urologic surgery, written several textbook chapters, and published over 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Symptoms, Diagnosing and Treatment

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Two healthy mature women enjoy a walk outdoors together.

Bladder Cancer 101

When cancer is found, it’s 80% likely to be in the cells that line the inside of the bladder and non-invasive. It can either grow in finger-like projections toward the center of the bladder (papillary carcinoma) or flat tumors that stay in the bladder lining (flat carcinoma). The cancer becomes invasive if it grows from the lining into another layer of the bladder. Most invasive tumors do not advance past the second layer and rarely into the muscle tissue. If it does, the cancer is likely to spread further and become harder to treat.