Understanding treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A new factsheet to support informed decisions

A diagnosis of muscle-invasive bladder cancer can bring many difficult and urgent decisions. Patients and families often receive a lot of information in a short time and it can be hard to understand what the different treatment options mean in practice.

We are pleased to launch “Understanding Treatment for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC)”: a new factsheet in the WBCPC Factsheet Series. This resource was created to support patients and carers at a time when clear and reliable information is especially important.

Around 25–30% of bladder cancer cases are diagnosed at the muscle-invasive stage. Treatment at this point often involves more than one approach and can affect daily life in many ways. Patients may need to think about surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or other treatments, as well as how these options may affect their quality of life.

This factsheet aims to help people make sense of these decisions. It gives patients time and space to read, reflect, and prepare questions for their healthcare team. The goal is not to replace medical advice, but to help patients feel more confident and involved when discussing their care.

The resource also recognises that treatment does not end when therapy finishes. Living with the effects of treatment, managing follow-up appointments, and adjusting to changes in daily life are all important parts of the journey. These aspects are often difficult to discuss during short medical appointments.

This factsheet is intended for patients, carers, patient organisations, and healthcare professionals. It can be used before, during, and after treatment as a practical reference.

The factsheet is currently available in English, with additional languages planned.

Related resource

For readers seeking information about earlier-stage bladder cancer, our companion factsheet “Understanding Treatment for Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC)” is also available.

For more information or to explore the full WBCPC Factsheet Series, please visit our page on the website.

Questions? Contact us at: info@worldbladdercancer.org

Disclaimer: This factsheet has been reviewed by members of the WBCPC Scientific Advisory Board to ensure medical accuracy and alignment with current clinical practice.