Urology is the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the urinary tract and urogenital system. As such the diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer falls under this field. Bladder cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells are found in the bladder.

The bladder is a hollow organ in the lower part of the abdomen that stores urine. It is shaped like a small balloon, and it has a muscular wall that allows it to change in size. Urine is the liquid waste that is made by the kidneys when they clean the blood.

Bladder cancer is the eleventh most common cancer in the world and in males it is the 8th most common form of cancer worldwide. Internationally there are 310,000 new cases diagnosed every year. Over half of the cases occur in industrialised countries (especially in the North America, Europe, Northern Africa and Chinese populations). In the year 2000 in the European Union alone it was estimated that approximately 1500 new cases were diagnosed every week, with approximately 650 deaths per week. The incidence rate increases with age and is mostly seen in people older than 60. The most established risk factors are smoking and regular exposure to selected carcinogens (cancer causing substances).

At the initial diagnosis for patients with bladder cancer, 30% are of the invasive cancer type (growing into the layers of the bladder wall) and 70% are superficial (only growing on the lining of the bladder). Superficial bladder cancer patients are classified into one of 3 prognostic groups, distinguished by the different risk levels for recurrence and progression (degeneration of the tumor). These groups and the approximate incidence of each group are: a low risk group (50%), an intermediate risk group (35%) and a high risk group (15%). Early diagnosis is extremely important in this disease. One of the most common symptoms is blood in the urine (known as haematuria) and should always be investigated.

The choice of treatment depends on the stage of the disease, the medical conditions and the nature of the disease. Treatment options usually consist of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy. Immunotherapy refers to the use of drugs that stimulate the immune system. Immunotherapy helps the body to produce its own natural defense against infections or tumors.
Organon has developed OncoTICE® , an immunotherapeutic agent for the treatment of superficial bladder cancer.