Other Treatments for Bladder Cancer: Biologic Therapy and Photodynamic Therapy

Biologic Therapy

Biologic therapy (also called immunotherapy) is a treatment that uses drugs to improve the way your body’s immune system fights disease. Your immune system is your body’s natural defense against disease. A healthy and strong immune system can detect the difference between healthy cells and cancer cells. Biologic therapy attempts to repair, stimulate, or enhance the immune system so that it can fight the cancer more effectively. These therapies can be used to fight cancer or to lessen the side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments.

Biologic therapy for bladder cancer involves instilling a liquid containing Bacille Callmette-Guérin (a live, weakened form of the bacteria that causes tuberculosis]]> ) into the bladder. The bacteria seem to provoke the body’s immune system, increasing its ability to kill the cancer cells that are in the bladder.

The bacteria solution is placed into the bladder through a catheter tube inserted through the urethra and into the bladder. Once the solution is in the bladder, you’ll be asked to hold it in the bladder for about two hours. These treatments usually occur once a week for six weeks. Some people require a second six-week cycle of treatments to achieve full benefit.

Photodynamic Therapy (Phototherapy)

Photodynamic therapy]]> is a relatively new weapon in the fight against bladder cancer. In photodynamic therapy (PDT), photosensitizers, or light-sensitive molecules, are injected into the bloodstream and absorbed by cells throughout the body. These agents remain in cancer cells longer than in normal cells. A cystoscope is then inserted through the urethra into your bladder, where it shines a red laser light onto the tumor. When the cancer cells are exposed to laser light, the photosensitizers are activated and cause cell damage and death.