Chemotherapy is often given when the cancer has spread outside the bladder to other parts of the body. It can help to shrink or slow down the growth of the cancer and reduce your symptoms. It may also help you to live longer.

You may be given a short course of radiotherapy to the bladder to improve any symptoms. Radiotherapy can also be given to relieve pain if the cancer has spread to the bones (palliative radiotherapy).

The type of chemotherapy you have will depend on how advanced your cancer is and how physically well you are. You may be given a combination of drugs like MVAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin) or GC (gemcitabine and cisplatin) or a chemotherapy drug on its own.

Many people worry about having chemotherapy because of the possible side effects. But these side effects can usually be well controlled with medicines.

Making treatment decisions when you have advanced cancer can be difficult. It’s important to talk to your doctor about the advantages and disadvantages in your particular situation. Talking it over with your family and close friends may also be helpful.