Bladder Cancer
Treatment in Malaysia
At Onco Life Centre, our team takes a personalized approach to bladder cancer treatment in Malaysia. We focus not only on treating the disease, but also on supporting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our patients every step of the way.
The urinary tract is made up of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. The bladder is lined with a layer of cells called the urothelium, which is separated from the bladder wall muscles by a thin, fibrous band called the lamina propria. Bladder cancer is a common type of cancer that most often begins in the (urothelial cells) that line the inside of the bladder.
Why Choose Onco Life Centre?
Expertise You Can Trust, Innovation You Can Count On
Over 20 Years of
Experience
Our highly-qualified consultant oncologists boast extensive experience treating a vast array of cancers. Their training at prestigious institutions in Australia and the UK ensures exceptional expertise that you can trust.
Collaboration with
Leading Genomics Experts
For complex cases, our oncologists collaborate with leading genomics specialists in the US. This ensures access to the latest treatments for all cancer types.
Unmatched
patient experience
You and your healthcare experience are at the centre of what we do at Onco Life Centre. Our core values of Empathy, Dedication, Professionalism and Service Quality have driven us since our earliest days.
Treatment Methods
Talk to our bladder cancer oncologists at Onco Life Centre about your treatment options. The main treatments for bladder cancer are surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy.
Often the best approach uses 2 or more of these treatment methods. It is important that you understand the goal of your treatment. If a cure is not possible, treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms such as pain.
Transurethral bladder tumor resection may be able to eliminate non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Radical cystectomy and lymph node dissection is the removal of the whole bladder. For men, the prostate and urethra also may be removed. For women, the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and part of the vagina may be removed. For all patients, lymph nodes in the pelvis are removed, called pelvic lymph node dissection. If the bladder is removed, a section of the small intestine or colon will be used to divert urine to a stoma on the outside of the body.
The types of systemic therapies used for bladder cancer include Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy and Targeted therapy.
Chemotherapy for bladder cancer can be intravesical or systemic. During intravesical chemotherapy, drugs are delivered into the bladder through a catheter that has been inserted through the urethra to destroy superficial tumor cells that come in contact with the chemotherapy solution. In systemic chemotherapy, a combination of drugs works better than 1 drug alone.
Immunotherapy for bladder cancer is designed to boost the body’s natural defenses to fight the cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors block a protein called PD-1. PD-1 is found on the surface of T cells and keeps the immune system from destroying cancer cells. Thus, stopping PD-1 from working allows the immune system to better eliminate the cancer. These are new treatments for bladder cancer approved by the US-FDA. Neoadjuvant immunotherapy for bladder cancer is administered before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor. Adjuvant immunotherapy for bladder cancer may be used after surgery to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back. Our bladder cancer specialists will be able to advise on the use of adjuvant and neoadjuvant immunotherapy.
Please click here to learn more about Immunotherapy
Targeted therapy for bladder cancer targets the cancer’s specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that contributes to cancer growth and survival to block the growth and spread of cancer cells while limiting damage to healthy cells. A type of targeted therapy for metastatic bladder cancer (eg. for patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma with FGFR3 or FGFR2 genetic mutations) has been approved for use after receiving platinum chemotherapy.
The most common type of radiation treatment for bladder cancer is called external-beam radiation therapy. Combined radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be used to treat cancer that is located only in the bladder to destroy any cancer cells that may remain after TURBT, to relieve symptoms caused by a tumor, such as pain, bleeding, or blockage, to treat brain or bone metastasis.
Stages of Bladder Cancer
Stage 1 bladder cancer
The cancer has grown through the inner lining of the bladder and only into the lamina propria.
Stage 2 bladder cancer
The cancer has spread into the thick muscle wall of the bladder. It is also called muscle-invasive cancer.
Stage 3 bladder cancer
The cancer has spread through the muscle wall into the tissues around the bladder.
- Stage 3a: The tumor has grown into the perivesical tissue or has spread into the prostate, uterus, or vagina.
- Stage 3b: The cancer has spread into 2 or more regional lymph nodes.
Stage 4 bladder cancer
The tumor has spread into the pelvic wall or abdominal wall, or to lymph nodes outside of the pelvis or to other parts of the body.
Transparency You Can Trust
At Onco Life Centre, we understand the financial burden associated with Bladder Cancer treatment. We are committed to transparency and will provide you with a personalized cost estimate during your initial consultation. Here is an estimate:
Chemotherapy
The cost for treating bladder cancer using chemotherapy for most of our patients is around MYR5,000 per cycle.
Immunotherapy
The cost of bladder cancer immunotherapy can range from MYR10,000 and above depending on the specific type and dosage of immunotherapy drugs used.
Types of bladder cancer
The main types of bladder cancer are:
Urothelial carcinoma
Accounts for about 90% of all bladder cancers and is also called transitional cell carcinoma.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Accounts for about 4% of all bladder cancers.
Adenocarcinoma
Accounts for about 2% of all bladder cancers and develops from glandular cells.
Sarcoma and small cell bladder cancer
These are much less common types of bladder cancer.
Bladder cancer may be described as non-muscle-invasive or muscle-invasive.
Non-muscle-invasive
Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer typically has grown only into the lamina propria and not into muscle, also called stage I.
Muscle-invasive
Muscle-invasive bladder cancer has grown into the bladder’s wall muscle and into the surrounding tissue outside the bladder.
Symptoms and Signs
- Blood or blood clots in the urine
- Pain or burning sensation during urination
- Frequent urination
- Feeling the need to urinate many times throughout the night
- Feeling the need to urinate, but not being able to pass urine
- Lower back pain
- Unexplained appetite loss, and weight loss
Diagnosis of bladder cancer
Cystoscopy can detect growths in the bladder and determine the need for a biopsy or surgery.
Biopsy, If abnormal tissue is found during a cystoscopy, a biopsy will be carried out
Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT)
allows the removal of the tumor and a sample of the bladder muscle near the tumor. TURBT is used to diagnose bladder cancer and find out the type of tumor, how deeply it has grown into the layers of the bladder, and identify any additional microscopic cancerous changes, called carcinoma in situ.
Your Journey
Start Your Recovery
Our dedicated Patient Navigator will assist you with appointment scheduling. Contact us at +6012-3993260 (Call or Whatsapp ).
First Consultation
On appointment day, bring along all the medical reports and your identity documents, ie. identity card or passport. Our team will help you organize the medical reports for our oncologist to review. Our oncologist will discuss the treatment plan with you. Tele-consult is available for overseas patients.
Treatment Day
Come to our center on an agreed date and time for the treatment. Our team will take good care of you. You will be discharged on the same day. Yes, you will get to go home after every treatment visit as no overnight admission is required.
Stay on Track
Our dedicated patient navigator will be following up with you post treatment to check on your condition, to ensure that you are doing well. You will receive a reminder message on your phone for the next appointment date.
Hello, I’m Dr. Christina Ng Van Tze, a Consultant Medical Oncologist and Medical Director at Onco Life Centre, as well as the Founder President of Empowered The Cancer Advocacy Society of Malaysia. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about advancing personalized cancer treatment, strengthening community advocacy, and expanding access to high-quality care for patients across Malaysia.
Attending the ESMO Congress 2025 in Berlin was both inspiring and energizing. Representing Onco Life Centre, our dedicated medical centre in Malaysia, I stood among global leaders committed to shaping the future of oncology. This year’s congress was filled with remarkable scientific breakthroughs, thoughtful discussions, and a renewed sense of purpose as we work toward better outcomes and better lives for our patients.
A Global Gathering Focused on Precision Cancer Care
ESMO 2025 brought together thousands of clinicians, researchers, and advocates from around the world. What made this year particularly exciting was the strong emphasis on precision medicine, from cancer genetics and molecular profiling to advanced imaging and AI-powered diagnostic tools. These advancements are aligning closely with the work we do at Onco Life Centre, where patient individuality and tumor biology guide our treatment decisions.
Throughout the congress, many experts highlighted the importance of understanding each patient’s tumor in greater depth. Whether through genomic sequencing, circulating tumor DNA, or radiomic analyses, the oncology community is moving firmly toward personalized strategies. As someone who has long championed individualized care, I found these sessions especially meaningful.
Key Scientific Sessions That Inspired Me
One of the standout presentations was the evERA BC trial, a major study evaluating the combination of giredestrant, an oral SERD, with an mTOR inhibitor drug in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. The results showed a significant improvement in progression-free survival, especially in tumors driven by ESR1 mutations. For patients who have progressed on CDK4/6 inhibitors, this combination may become an essential addition to our treatment toolbox.
This study also supports a larger movement within oncology—creating thoughtful, layered treatment plans that address resistance pathways and extend the time patients can remain on endocrine-based therapies. It’s a direction that can profoundly benefit Malaysian women, many of whom are diagnosed at younger ages or have aggressive tumor profiles.
Insights from the thoracic oncology sessions were equally impactful. Advances in lung cancer, including AI-driven pathology models, updated ALK-targeted treatment strategies, and ctDNA-guided therapy adjustments, reminded me just how quickly this field is evolving. Given the increasing prevalence of lung cancer in Malaysia, especially among non-smokers and women, these developments hold tremendous value for our community.
The Role of AI in Transforming Clinical Practice
One major theme across the congress was the integration of artificial intelligence into clinical decision-making. Researchers demonstrated how AI models can analyze pathology slides, radiology images, and genomic data to predict which patients are more likely to respond to immunotherapy or targeted treatment. These tools help us avoid ineffective therapies and guide patients toward options with the most tremendous potential.
At Onco Life Centre, we have been exploring the use of digital technologies to streamline assessments and enhance patient monitoring. Seeing the global oncology community embrace these tools assures me that we are moving in the right direction. I hope that AI will continue to improve early detection, refine treatment selection, and ultimately support better survival outcomes for Malaysian patients.
Representing Onco Life Centre on the International Stage
Representing Onco Life Centre at an event of this scale was a true honor. Our centre has always focused on delivering holistic, science-driven care, and it was wonderful to share our experiences with colleagues from around the world. I had meaningful conversations about challenges related to access to molecular testing globally, variability in treatment availability, and the need for stronger psycho-oncology support systems.
These interactions not only validated the work we do but also highlighted areas where we can continue to grow. Bringing international insights back to Malaysia ensures that our patients benefit from the same cutting-edge thinking shaping care in Europe, America, and beyond.
Bringing ESMO Insights Home to Malaysia
Returning from Berlin, I feel a renewed commitment to integrating the latest research into our daily practice. In the coming months, we aim to:
- Enhance our use of molecular profiling for breast, lung, and gastrointestinal cancers
- Expand ctDNA testing where appropriate to guide treatment decisions
- Strengthen multidisciplinary discussions for complex cases
- Continue investing in supportive care and psycho-oncology services
- Provide patients and families with clearer, more personalized education about treatment choices
As a clinician, I believe that every advancement, no matter how technical, must ultimately translate into compassionate, human-centered care. This balance of science and empathy remains at the core of our mission.
A Future of Hope and Collaboration
ESMO 2025 reaffirmed what I’ve always believed: oncology is advancing rapidly, but meaningful progress relies on collaboration, continuous learning, and a deep commitment to patient care. I’m genuinely grateful for the opportunity to represent Onco Life Centre on this global platform. Being part of these critical conversations strengthens our mission to raise the standard of oncology in Malaysia. It ensures our patients benefit from the latest, most effective innovations in cancer care.
Moving forward, we will continue engaging with global partners, conducting meaningful advocacy through Empowered, and ensuring our patients receive the highest standard of personalized treatment.
Together, we can build a future where every individual facing cancer feels seen, supported, and empowered.
Onco Life Centre Wins 2025 Best Oncology Clinic in Malaysia
We are proud to share that Onco Life Centre has been named the Oncology Clinic and Treatment Centre of the Year in Malaysia at the GlobalHealth Asia-Pacific Awards 2025, held in Bangkok.
This prestigious recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering personalized, compassionate, and cutting-edge cancer care to our patients. The award reflects not just our clinical excellence, but our dedication to safety, community outreach, and innovation in oncology services.
The GlobalHealth Asia-Pacific Awards celebrate leading healthcare institutions across the region. Winners are chosen based on a comprehensive evaluation of criteria such as:
Excellence and Innovation: Transforming healthcare delivery and patient outcomes through progressive medical practices.
Patient Safety: Upholding the highest standards to ensure safe, comfortable, and effective treatment environments.
Community Involvement: Actively engaging in public awareness, screening programs, and care for underprivileged communities.
Technology Adoption: Integrating advanced diagnostics, therapies, and digital tools to enhance every aspect of care.
Impact and Measurable Results: Demonstrating tangible improvements in cancer detection, treatment success, and patient well-being.
Adaptability and Preparedness: Being resilient and forward-thinking in the face of global health challenges.
Leadership and Vision: Cultivating a culture that prioritizes empathy, innovation, and ongoing education.
This award inspires us to continue raising the bar in oncology care—not only through medical advancements but by remaining deeply rooted in our advocacy mission: to serve, educate, and empower every cancer patient, especially those most in need.
We dedicate this achievement to our patients, survivors, caregivers, and the entire Onco Life Centre community. Your courage fuels our purpose. Together, we will continue the fight—because every life matters.
NSCLC (Non-small cell lung cancer)
2010 Breast and Lung Cancer Awareness Campaign (LEMBAH PANTAI)
2011 Colorectal Cancer Screening and Treatment Community Project (GOMBAK AND SELAYANG)
2011 & 2012 Colorectal Cancer Awareness, Screening and Treatment Community Project (SETAPAK)
2012 Colorectal Cancer Screening and Treatment Community Project (LEMBAH SUBANG)
2014 Colorectal Cancer Awareness, Screening and Treatment Community Project (CHERAS)
2015 Colorectal Cancer Awareness, Screening and Treatment Project (HILIRAN AMPANG)
2016 Colorectal Cancer Awareness, Screening and Treatment Project (DESA TUN RAZAK)
Credentials You Can Trust
Ministry of Health Malaysia
Onco Life Centre is fully licensed as an Oncology Consultation and Treatment Centre (License No: 931401-00214-03/2024)
DR. CHRISTINA NG VAN TZE
CONSULTANT MEDICAL ONCOLOGIST (NSR: 131550)
MBBS (MELB), FELLOW RACP (AUS)
DR. JOSEPH KANIANTHRA JOSEPH
CONSULTANT MEDICAL ONCOLOGIST (NSR: 124660)
MBBCH, BAO (IRE), MRCP (UK)
Service Area
Onco Life Centre location
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