281-647-7766
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Suite #4C, Katy, TX 77494
Suite #4C, Katy, TX 77494
Office HoursMon – Thu: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri: 8:30 – 4:00 · Sat: 9:00 – 1:00
Fri: 8:30 – 4:00 · Sat: 9:00 – 1:00
281-647-7766
Home/Cancer Treatment/Bladder Cancer
Blood in the urine is the most common first sign of bladder cancer and should never be ignored. Board-certified oncologists Dr. Mohammad Riaz and Dr. Shagufta Naqvi work alongside your urologist to provide chemotherapy and immunotherapy in our Katy office. Same-day appointments for newly diagnosed patients.
Overview
Bladder cancer starts when cells in the bladder lining grow out of control. About 9 in 10 cases are urothelial (transitional cell) carcinomas. Doctors divide bladder cancer into non-muscle-invasive disease, which stays in the inner layers, and muscle-invasive disease, which grows into the bladder wall and needs more intensive treatment.
Most bladder cancers are found early, while they are still non-muscle-invasive. These cancers often come back, so regular follow-up with cystoscopy is important. Less common types include squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma.
The most common sign is blood in the urine, which may make urine look pink, red or cola-colored, or may only show up on a urine test. It is often painless and may come and go. Other symptoms include burning, needing to urinate often or urgently, a weak stream and, in advanced cases, back or pelvic pain.
Blood in the urine is usually caused by infections or kidney stones, but it should always be evaluated by a doctor. Read about unexplained bleeding and bladder cancer signs and symptoms.
Smoking is the leading cause and roughly triples the risk. Other risk factors include workplace exposure to chemicals used in dyes, rubber, leather, paint and trucking, older age, male sex, chronic bladder infections or catheter use, previous pelvic radiation or cyclophosphamide, and arsenic in drinking water.
A urologist looks inside the bladder with cystoscopy and removes the tumor in a procedure called transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). The pathology report shows the type, grade and whether it has invaded the muscle. CT urography and other scans check the kidneys, ureters, lymph nodes and other organs.
| Stage | What it means |
|---|---|
| Stage 0 (Ta, Tis) | Cancer in the inner lining only |
| Stage I | Grows into the connective tissue under the lining |
| Stage II | Grows into the bladder muscle |
| Stage III | Spread through the bladder wall to nearby tissue or pelvic lymph nodes |
| Stage IV | Spread to distant lymph nodes or organs such as bone, liver or lungs |
For advanced cancer we may also test the tumor for FGFR3 changes, which can be treated with targeted therapy.
Non-muscle-invasive cancer is removed with TURBT and treated with medicine placed directly in the bladder, such as BCG or gemcitabine. Muscle-invasive cancer is usually treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy before removal of the bladder, or with combined chemotherapy and radiation to save the bladder. Advanced bladder cancer is now often treated first with enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab.
BCG or chemotherapy (gemcitabine, mitomycin) placed into the bladder through a catheter, given by your urologist.
Used for: Non-muscle-invasive cancer
Cisplatin-based chemotherapy (gemcitabine-cisplatin or dose-dense MVAC) before surgery improves survival. Immunotherapy may be added before and after surgery.
Used for: Muscle-invasive cancer
Radical cystectomy with a new way to store urine, performed by a urologic oncologist we coordinate with.
Used for: Muscle-invasive cancer
TURBT followed by chemotherapy given with radiation, for selected patients who want to keep their bladder.
Used for: Selected muscle-invasive cancer
An antibody-drug conjugate combined with immunotherapy, now a preferred first treatment for advanced urothelial cancer.
Used for: Advanced or metastatic cancer
Erdafitinib for FGFR3-altered tumors; avelumab maintenance after chemotherapy.
Used for: Advanced cancer
About 78% of people with bladder cancer are alive five years after diagnosis. Survival is above 95% for cancer confined to the inner lining and lower once it spreads beyond the bladder. Newer combinations such as enfortumab vedotin with pembrolizumab have significantly improved survival for advanced disease.
Bladder cancer often comes back, so lifelong follow-up with cystoscopy and urine tests is standard. Quitting smoking lowers the chance of recurrence.
Your urologist diagnoses and removes bladder tumors and gives treatments inside the bladder. A medical oncologist manages chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy given through the bloodstream. For muscle-invasive or advanced cancer, both specialists work together to plan the order of treatments.
We communicate directly with your urologist and radiation oncologist so your care stays on one coordinated plan, and you receive your chemotherapy or immunotherapy close to home in Katy.
Call 281-647-7766 or request a call back. Newly diagnosed patients can usually be seen the same day. We accept most major insurance plans and Medicare, including AARP, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, UnitedHealthcare, Tricare and TMHP, and our staff handles prior authorizations before treatment begins.
Bring your referral, biopsy or pathology report, recent scans and lab results, a list of your medicines and your insurance card. If you do not have every record, call anyway. Our team can request them for you. You can also fill out our patient registration form ahead of time.
Board-Certified Medical Oncologist
Dr. Naqvi brings years of experience treating a wide range of cancers with a focus on personalized medicine, patient advocacy and compassionate care.
Board-Certified Medical Oncologist & Palliative Care Specialist
Dr. Riaz completed a Palliative Medicine Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic, so patients receive cutting-edge cancer therapy while keeping the highest possible quality of life.
Our oncology office is located at 410 West Grand Parkway South, Suite #4C, Katy, TX 77494, with easy access from I-10 and the Grand Parkway. Patients come to us for bladder cancer care from Katy, Cinco Ranch, Fulshear, Richmond, Sugar Land, Memorial, the Energy Corridor, West Houston and communities throughout Greater Houston.
Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM–5:00 PM · Friday 8:30 AM–4:00 PM · Saturday 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Phone: 281-647-7766 · Fax: 281-647-7767 · Map & directions
No. It is usually caused by urinary infections, kidney stones or an enlarged prostate. But it should always be checked, because blood in the urine is the most common first sign of bladder cancer.
Yes, most bladder cancers found early are curable. Non-muscle-invasive cancer has a high survival rate but often returns, so regular check-ups are essential.
BCG is a weakened bacterium placed into the bladder that triggers the immune system to attack cancer cells. It is a standard treatment for high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Not usually. Most bladder cancers are found before they invade the muscle. For muscle-invasive cancer, bladder removal or bladder-sparing chemoradiation may be options.
Yes. Continuing to smoke raises the chance that bladder cancer comes back. Quitting at any point helps, and we can connect you with support.
Premier Oncology Consultants treats bladder cancer at 410 West Grand Parkway South, Suite #4C, Katy, TX 77494, serving Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Sugar Land, Memorial and West Houston.
Sources
This page is for education only and does not replace medical advice from your own physician. Treatment decisions should be made with your care team based on your individual diagnosis.
Same-Day Appointments in Katy
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Same-Day Appointments · Katy, TX
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