Bladder Cancer Pain

Bladder cancer pain can be caused by a tumor that is pressing against nerves and other organs near the bladder. Bladder cancer pain can also be caused by some of the treatments for bladder cancer. In order to relieve or reduce bladder cancer pain, doctors may recommend pain medicine, radiation, or nerve block.

Bladder Cancer Treatments

Bladder Cancer Pain: A Summary

Pain is a possible problem for people with bladder cancer. Bladder cancer pain can be caused by a tumor that is pressing against nerves and other organs near the bladder. Pain can also be caused by bladder cancer treatment. The patient's doctor or a specialist in pain control can relieve or reduce bladder cancer pain in several ways, which include the following:

Pain medicine: Medicines are often used to relieve bladder cancer pain. Although these medicines may make people drowsy and constipated, resting and taking laxatives can help.
Radiation: High-energy rays can help relieve pain with bladder cancer by shrinking the tumor. Radiation therapy can be administered with or without hormone therapy.
Nerve block: The doctor may inject alcohol into the area, around certain nerves, or around the bladder to block the bladder cancer pain.

Alternative Treatments for Bladder Cancer Pain

The healthcare team may suggest other ways to relieve or reduce pain with bladder cancer, which include:

Massage
Acupuncture
Acupressure
Relaxation techniques.

(Click Alternative Bladder Cancer Treatment for more information about alternative treatments.)