Bladder Cancer Care in New Jersey

Cystoscopy is a common test for bladder cancer. Your urologist uses a cystoscope, which is a long, thin tube with a small video camera, to see the inside of your urinary tract and identify any tumors.

• Flexible Cystoscopy: Performed in a urologist’s office under local anesthesia. We offer the most advanced flexible scope for patient comfort, with high-resolution imaging for the most accuracy. The urologist may take a biopsy of bladder tissue for testing.
• Blue Light Cystoscopy: Performed in the surgical suite during tumor removal. Hackensack Meridian Health is one of only two centers in the state offering this innovative technology proven to reduce cancer progression and recurrence. Cysview makes non-muscle invasive bladder cancer tumors glow bright pink under blue light, allowing urologists to remove cancer cells more completely.  

Hackensack Meridian Health offers the most advanced imaging tests for bladder cancer. Our uroradiologists are experienced in identifying tumors and the depth of any tumor invasion of the bladder and urinary tract.

• Advanced CT can
• MRI 
• PET scan 

Studies have shown that some forms of bladder cancer are related to a handful of genetic variants. Our uropathologists conduct molecular analysis and germline testing of your bladder cancer tissue. Through a partnership with Genomic Testing Cooperative in Irvine, Calif., a first-of-its-kind genomic profiling laboratory, we can identify your cancer’s molecular make-up and response to the immune system. The resulting genetic tumor profile allows your care team to design a unique treatment plan and identify any immunotherapies for your precise type of bladder cancer.  

Your bladder cancer screening includes a thorough analysis of your urine. We offer dedicated uropathologists experienced in laboratory testing for cancer and other conditions of the urinary tract. 

• Urine Cytology: Urine is viewed under a microscope to identify any pre-cancer or cancer cells.
• Urinalysis: Urine is tested for traces of blood and other substances that help diagnose cancer or another condition such as kidney stones or urinary tract infection (UTI). 
• Urine Culture: Bacteria in a urine sample is allowed to grow to determine if a UTI, not cancer, is causing your symptoms.

The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine (hematuria), which can make urine appear pink, red, or brown. Other potential symptoms include frequent or urgent urination, pain or a burning sensation during urination, difficulty urinating, and pain in the lower back or pelvis.

It's important to visit a urologist if you experience any of these symptoms, as they can also be caused by other conditions.

Some of the most common ways our urologists diagnose bladder cancer include:

• Cystoscopy: A primary method where a doctor inserts a thin, lighted tube with a camera (cystoscope) into the bladder to visually inspect it for abnormalities.
• Biopsy: If a tumor is found during cystoscopy, a small tissue sample is removed and examined by a pathologist to confirm the presence of cancer cells.
• Urine Cytology: A lab test where a urine sample is checked for cancer cells.
• Advanced Imaging: CT scans or MRIs may be used to see if the cancer has spread beyond the bladder.

The urologists at Hackensack Meridian Health offer a personalized, multidisciplinary approach to treating bladder cancer based on whether it's non-muscle invasive or muscle invasive.

• For Non-Muscle Invasive Cancer: Treatments often include a Transurethral Resection of a Bladder Tumor (TURBT) to remove the tumor, followed by intravesical therapy, where medication like BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) or chemotherapy is put directly into the bladder.
• For Muscle Invasive Cancer: More aggressive treatments may be required, such as a radical cystectomy (surgical removal of the bladder), often performed using robotic-assisted technology. This is frequently combined with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation therapy. The health system also offers advanced bladder reconstruction options, like a neobladder.

Learn more about all the treatment options we offer.