Bladder preserving combined modality therapy for invasive bladder cancer.

The purpose of this paper is to increase the nurse's knowledge about invasive bladder cancer through discussion of a current protocol treatment using chemo and radiation therapy. Pathophysiology, clinical features, and current medical management are addressed along with appropriate nursing interventions, including symptom management and patient/family education. Research supports the observation that once patients complete the protocol regimen, the complete response rate is high and the need for radical surgery is low.