Although bladder cancer is commonly associated with men, thousands of women are diagnosed with the disease every year. However, it remains a little-known cancer among the female population, and its detection is often delayed because the initial symptoms are mistaken for much more common conditions, such as urinary tract infections or certain gynecological disorders.

"The presence of blood in the urine should never be considered normal, even if it occurs only once and disappears spontaneously. It is a symptom that always requires a urological evaluation," explains Dr. Cristina de Castro, specialist in the Department of Urology, led by Dr. Antonio Allona and Dr. Juan Ignacio Martínez-Salamanca, at Hospital Ruber Internacional, part of the Quirónsalud Group.

The specialist emphasizes that this delay in diagnosis has significant consequences. "Bladder cancer in women is often diagnosed at more advanced stages, resulting in a poorer prognosis. That is why it is essential to raise awareness among both the general public and healthcare professionals."

Early Diagnosis Makes a Difference

Hematuria—the presence of blood in the urine—is the primary warning sign. Other symptoms may include increased urinary frequency, urgency to urinate, burning during urination, or persistent pelvic pain when there is no confirmed infection or when symptoms repeatedly recur.

According to Dr. de Castro, identifying the tumor at an early stage allows for less aggressive treatments and significantly better outcomes, both oncologically and functionally.

Increasingly Personalized Treatments

The therapeutic approach depends on the type of tumor, its extent, and the individual characteristics of each patient. For non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, treatment usually begins with a transurethral resection (TURBT), a minimally invasive procedure that removes the tumor and helps determine the risk of recurrence.

Depending on each case, treatment may be complemented with intravesical therapies, such as BCG immunotherapy, which significantly reduces the likelihood of the tumor recurring or progressing.

When the cancer invades the bladder muscle, treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and new targeted therapies. "In recent years, we have moved toward a much more personalized approach to medicine, incorporating robotic surgery, innovative systemic therapies, and strategies that allow treatment to be tailored to the biological characteristics of each tumor," says the urologist.

Curing the Disease While Preserving Quality of Life

One of the greatest advances in bladder cancer treatment is the shift in clinical focus. The goal is no longer solely to eliminate the tumor, but also to preserve the patient's quality of life.

"Surgical techniques have evolved tremendously. Today, in carefully selected women, we can preserve certain structures involved in urinary continence and sexual function whenever this does not compromise oncological safety," highlights Dr. Cristina de Castro.

In addition, following bladder removal, various reconstructive options are available, allowing treatment to be tailored to each patient's lifestyle and individual needs, promoting better functional recovery and a faster return to everyday life.

A Comprehensive, Patient-Centered Approach

The management of bladder cancer requires close collaboration among urologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, pelvic floor physiotherapists, specialized nurses, nutritionists, psycho-oncologists, and other healthcare professionals.

"Our commitment is not only to treat the cancer. It is also to support women throughout their entire journey, address their concerns, safeguard their emotional well-being, and provide the most appropriate treatment from both a scientific and a human perspective," concludes Dr. Cristina de Castro.