Bladder cancer is a condition that primarily affects elderly patients, causing symptoms such as blood in urine, changes in urinary habits and pain during urination. It’s the fourth most common cancer among men and the eighth most common cancer among women in the United States. In this episode, Gary Steinberg, MD, discusses the challenges in managing bladder cancer, which can range from low-grade and non-invasive to high-grade and invasive. He also highlights the importance of providing patients with an early diagnosis and profiles the range of treatments available for patients today.

Dr. Steinberg is a urologist at RUSH and a national authority in the surgical treatment of bladder cancer and continent urinary tract reconstruction. He is a recognized expert in translational bladder cancer research and has made significant contributions to the understanding of both non-muscle invasive and invasive bladder cancer.

“Treatment for patients with intermediate risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer is an unmet need. Most patients with intermediate risk bladder cancer have a low risk of progression, but their risk of recurrence is quite high. Our standard form of treatment, chemotherapeutic agents, is inadequate, but we're changing the way we deliver them. We think these new ways could improve the delivery of the drugs to the bladder lining cells.”