Radiation Therapy

See the current version of the SEER Program Coding Manual under Reporting Guidelines, Section VII: First Course of Therapy, for complete coding instructions for the radiation data items.

Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. Bladder cancer is sometimes treated with external beam radiation therapy.

This type of radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the area of the body with cancer. Radiation therapy may be given alone or with other types of treatment, such as chemotherapy.

Radiation therapy is used for muscle-invasive bladder cancer in conjunction with radical cystectomy and/or chemotherapy. The main goal of adjuvant therapy is to eradicate residual disease, reducing local recurrence. Bladder NCCN Guidelines (PDF)External Website Policy

Document radiation details in NAACCR Item #’s

  • 2620: Text-Dx Proc-Radiation (Beam)
  • 2630: Text-Dx Proc-Radiation Other

See Additional Resources for Bladder Cancer Treatment

Updated: April 22, 2025