Overview
Intravesical therapy involves putting a liquid drug directly into the bladder through a catheter, rather than giving it by mouth or injecting it into a vein. This is often used for early-stage bladder cancers.
How It Works
The most common intravesical immunotherapy is BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin). It stimulates the immune system to attack cancer cells in the bladder lining. Chemotherapy drugs can also be used in this way.
Benefits
Targeted
The drug mainly affects the cells lining the bladder, with little effect on other parts of the body.
Preventive
Helps prevent the cancer from coming back or growing deeper into the bladder wall.