Penn Highlands Brookville Offers Innovative Bladder Cancer Therapy

Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the U.S. People diagnosed with bladder cancer in Northwestern Pennsylvania have access to a new therapy that helps send it into remission and Penn Highlands Brookville is only the third facility in Pennsylvania to offer this treatment.

John S. Banerji, MD, a uro-oncologist with Penn Highlands Urology, offers the new INLEXZO treatment for cancer that has not progressed deeply into the bladder.

“For four decades, chemotherapy and removal of the bladder were the standard protocol for treating bladder cancer. When treating high-grade, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, standard therapy includes instillation of Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG), which is the same vaccine used to prevent tuberculosis. Patients receive other bladder instillation therapies before progressing to removal of the bladder which is a life-changing operation. The new INLEXZO is an innovative treatment for patients who fail standard therapy. It is proving effective in treating high-grade, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer which has progressed on BCG. It provides a rare opportunity to treat the cancer and preserve the bladder. INLEXZO is a novel drug delivery system which keeps releasing Gemcitabine, an anti-cancer medication, in the bladder for 21 days,” said Dr. Banerji.

The Gemcitabine medication is placed in a flexible pretzel-shaped device, which is about the size of a quarter. It is then inserted into the bladder using a local anesthetic. The outpatient procedure takes less than two minutes for insertion into the bladder. The device remains in the bladder for three weeks and is then replaced by a new dose of the medication. The treatment continues every three weeks for 24 weeks initially, and then every 12 weeks.

“There is no prep necessary other than drinking water to have a nice full bladder for the procedure,” said Dr. Banerji. “Patients report minimal discomfort such as slight burning during urination and frequency when the medication is first inserted.”

INLEXZO is covered by most insurances and Medicare.

While bladder cancer can occur in men and women, it is more common in men. Exposure to certain chemicals and smoking are the leading causes.

Dr. Banerji warns, “If you notice blood in your urine -- that is not normal. Also, if you need to urinate often and with such urgency that you feel you may not make it to a restroom, it is important to see a doctor to rule out bladder cancer.”

To learn more about urology services and cancer care at Penn Highlands Healthcare, visit www.phhealthcare.org.