What is transitional cell cancer of the urothelium?
Transitional cell cancer of the urothelium, sometimes called TCC, can develop in the lining of the bladder, the renal pelvis, the ureter or the urethra. The urethra is the canal through which urine leaves the body. The ureters are hollow muscular tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. The renal pelvis is the lower part of each kidney that connects to each ureter. In stage II and III TCC, the cancer has invaded the bladders muscular wall. The standard treatment for these cancers has been surgery to remove the bladder. Why is this trial important? This trial builds on findings from an earlier national study in which UC Davis Cancer Center specialists participated. In that study, patients with muscle-invasive cancer received chemotherapy combined with bladder removal. After removal, the bladders were examined by a pathologist. These examinations showed that in 40 percent of cases, no signs of tumor remained. Continued follow-up showed that for this 40 percent of the patie
