Steady guidance from the first test
Bladder cancer care in Snellville and Conyers
Blood in the urine is often the first warning, and sometimes the sole one. Our urologists move quickly to find the cause, explain every result in person, and guide you through treatment and the follow-up that keeps watch afterward.
What is bladder cancer?
Bladder cancer starts in the cells that line the inside of the bladder. Most are urothelial carcinomas, and many are found while still in the lining, which shapes treatment.
What are the warning signs of bladder cancer?
The most common sign is blood in the urine, often without pain, even if it appears once and then clears. Burning, urgency, going often and pelvic or lower back pain can also occur.
Who is more likely to get bladder cancer?
Smoking is a major risk, along with long-term exposure to some industrial chemicals, past pelvic radiation and chronic bladder irritation. Men and adults over 55 are diagnosed more often.
How is bladder cancer diagnosed?
Diagnosis combines a urine test, imaging such as CT or ultrasound, and cystoscopy, in which a slim scope lets the urologist view the bladder lining. If a growth is seen, it is removed or sampled so the type and depth can be confirmed.
How is bladder cancer treated?
Treatment depends on the type and how deep the cancer goes. Advanced Urology offers removal of tumors through a scope, medicines placed directly into the bladder, intravenous immunotherapy for certain high-risk cancers, and robotic surgery when the bladder needs to be removed.
- Intravesical therapy: BCG, mitomycin or other medicines given into the bladder through a catheter in the office
- Keytruda (pembrolizumab) for some high-risk cancers that did not respond to BCG
- Radical cystectomy, including robotic surgery, for aggressive cancers
- PET/CT to stage muscle-invasive or advanced disease
Why is follow-up so important after bladder cancer?
Bladder cancer can return even after successful treatment, so regular cystoscopy and urine tests are part of the plan. Surveillance cystoscopy is a short office test, and staying on schedule lets our urologists catch any change early.
Is there a video about bladder cancer?
Yes. This short video is from the official Advanced Urology channel.
Watch: Dr. Mally on Bladder Cancer What the video covers: Dr. Mally talks about bladder cancer.
Which of our urologists see patients for this?
These urologists list it on their Advanced Urology profiles and see patients in Snellville or Conyers.
- A. Dev Mally, MD · Snellville
- Moshe Shapiro, MD · Snellville
- Marc Greenstein, DO · Conyers
Physician assistants and nurse practitioners who help with it: Hayden Drake, PA-C, Lucy Choi, PA-C. They are not urologists.
Which articles go deeper on this?
Short answers from Advanced Urology on the questions we hear most.
What do people ask us about bladder cancer?
Does blood in the urine always mean cancer?
No. Infection, stones and an enlarged prostate are more common causes. It always deserves an evaluation, though.
Can bladder cancer come back?
Yes, it can recur, which is why regular cystoscopy and urine tests are scheduled after treatment.
Does medicine placed in the bladder cause hair loss?
Medicines given directly into the bladder usually cause local effects such as burning and frequency, not the hair loss linked with typical chemotherapy.
How often is surveillance cystoscopy done?
It depends on your cancer. It is often more frequent in the first years and spaced out over time.
Does quitting smoking help?
Yes. Quitting smoking lowers the risk of bladder cancer and of it returning.
Where is bladder cancer treated?
Office cystoscopy and bladder treatments happen in our offices, and procedures are done at our Snellville Clinic & Surgery Center.
More from Advanced Urology: Bladder cancer · Cystoscopy
Related care: Blood in the urine · Kidney cancer · Prostate cancer · All care
Where we see you: Snellville office and surgery center · Conyers clinic · What to bring and insurance
Ready to talk it through?
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