Using advanced imaging to guide bladder cancer treatment decisions

Plain-English translation of NCT04724928 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated January 2025 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 2 — Testing in a bigger group (up to a few hundred people) to see if the treatment actually works and is still safe.

What is this trial?

This trial tests whether a special imaging scan called 18F-FDG-PET-CT can help doctors better understand how far bladder cancer has spread in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. By using this advanced scan, doctors can divide patients into groups based on whether the cancer is contained or has spread, and then tailor treatment plans accordingly to improve survival.

Standard imaging tests sometimes miss small areas of cancer spread that this newer scan can detect. By catching these hidden spread patterns early, doctors hope to customize treatment—whether surgery, radiation, or —to give patients the best possible outcomes.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer confirmed by biopsy or imaging
you are 18 years or older and in generally good health
you are willing and able to undergo the special imaging scan (18F-FDG-PET-CT)
you are willing to receive personalized treatment based on scan results, which may include surgery, radiation, or immunotherapy
you have not been found to have cancer spread to distant organs on standard imaging

You likely don't qualify if…

you have already been diagnosed with cancer spread to organs outside the pelvis on standard imaging
you cannot have or refuse to have the special imaging scan
you have had previous radiation therapy that would prevent you from safely receiving radiation treatment
you have active inflammatory bowel disease or other medical conditions that make radiation or immunotherapy unsafe for you
you have had another type of cancer diagnosed within the last 5 years that still requires ongoing treatment

What participation looks like

You will have two special imaging scans (18F-FDG-PET-CT) to check if your cancer has spread. Based on the scan results, you will be placed into a treatment group, and your doctors will recommend a personalized treatment plan—which might include surgery to remove the bladder, radiation therapy, , or a combination of these. You will be followed over time to see how well the treatment works and whether this approach improves your overall survival.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 7, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

Belgium

Ghent University Hospital, Ghent