Transforming Bladder Cancer Care: A Conversation with Dr. Mark Schoenberg
Release Date: 10/10/2025
The Hope Behind Tomorrow's Bladder Cancer Treatments
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Feeling overwhelmed after a bladder cancer diagnosis? Wondering where to turn for trusted information, emotional support, or practical guidance? In this episode of Bladder Cancer Matters, host Rick Bangs sits down with BCAN’s Director of Education and Advocacy, Patricia Rios, for an inside look at the many free resources designed to help patients, caregivers and families navigate bladder cancer with more confidence and less fear. From one-on-one peer support and patient summits to clinical trial tools, webinars, caregiver resources, support groups, survivorship planning, and even BCAN’s...
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In this powerful episode of Bladder Cancer Matters, Rick Bangs sits down with Mike Vasallo, a high school assistant principal diagnosed with early-onset bladder cancer at 46 who turned fear and uncertainty into purpose. Mike shares his raw, honest journey through diagnosis, treatment and recovery—and how finding community, asking for help and leaning into advocacy changed everything. He also explains how he uses humor, data and even TikTok trends to educate and reach people who might never otherwise learn about bladder cancer. The conversation dives into the emotional toll of cancer, the...
info_outlineIn this episode of Bladder Cancer Matters, host and survivor Rick Bangs sits down with Dr. Mark Schoenberg—renowned urologist and Chief Medical Officer at UroGen® Pharma—for a wide-ranging conversation about the evolution of bladder cancer research, treatment, and patient advocacy. Dr. Schoenberg shares the story behind BCAN’s founding, the early challenges of raising awareness, and the innovations that are reshaping care today, including the development of non-surgical therapies like ZUSDURI™ (mitomycin) for intravesical solution, a prescription medicine used to treat adults with a type of cancer of the lining of the bladder called low-grade intermediate-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (LG-IR-NMIBC) after you have previously received bladder surgery to remove the tumor and it did not work or is no longer working. From his decades of patient-centered work to his role in pioneering new approaches with UroGen, Dr. Schoenberg offers insights into where the field has been and the promising future ahead. Tune in to hear a fascinating mix of history, science, and hope for patients and families impacted by bladder cancer.
Please see the link to the full Prescribing Information on the podcast web page or available at www.zusduri.com.
ZUSDURI Prescribing Information
- ZUSDURI Patient Information
- Holzbeierlein J, Bixler BR, Buckley DI, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: AUA/SUO guideline: 2024 amendment. J Urol. 2024;10.1097/JU.0000000000003846.
ZUSDURI (mitomycin) for intravesical solution is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with a type of cancer of the lining of the bladder called low-grade intermediate-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (LG-IR-NMIBC) after you have previously received bladder surgery to remove tumor and it did not work or is no longer working.
ZUSDURI™ Important Safety Information
You should not receive ZUSDURI™ if you have a hole or tear (perforation) of your bladder or if you have had an allergic reaction to mitomycin or to any of the ingredients in ZUSDURI™.
Before receiving ZUSDURI™, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have kidney problems
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. ZUSDURI™ can harm your unborn baby. You should not become pregnant during treatment with ZUSDURI™. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with ZUSDURI™.
Females who are able to become pregnant: You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with ZUSDURI™ and for 6 months after the last dose.
Males being treated with ZUSDURI™: You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with ZUSDURI™ and for 3 months after the last dose.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if ZUSDURI™ passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with ZUSDURI™ and for 1 week after the last dose.
How will I receive ZUSDURI™?
- You will receive your ZUSDURI™ dose from your healthcare provider 1 time a week for 6 weeks into your bladder through a tube called a urinary catheter. It is important that you receive all 6 doses of ZUSDURI™ according to your healthcare provider's instructions.
- If you miss any appointments, call your healthcare provider as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.
- During treatment with ZUSDURI™, your healthcare provider may tell you to take additional medicines or change how you take your current medicines.
After receiving ZUSDURI™:
- ZUSDURI™ may cause your urine color to change to a violet to blue color. Avoid contact between your skin and urine for at least 24 hours.
- To urinate, males and females should sit on a toilet and flush the toilet several times after you use it. After going to the bathroom, wash your hands, your inner thighs, and genital area well with soap and water.
- Clothing that comes in contact with urine should be washed right away and washed separately from other clothing.
The most common side effects of ZUSDURI™ include: increased blood creatinine levels, increased blood potassium levels, trouble with urination, decreased red blood cell counts, increase in certain blood liver tests, increased or decreased white blood cell counts, urinary tract infection, blood in your urine.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to UroGen Pharma at 1-855-987-6436.
Please see ZUSDURI Full Prescribing Information, including the Patient Information, for additional information.
JELMYTO® Important Safety Information
You should not receive JELMYTO® if you have a hole or tear (perforation) of your bladder or upper urinary tract.
Before receiving JELMYTO®, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. JELMYTO® can harm your unborn baby. You should not become pregnant during treatment with JELMYTO®. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with JELMYTO®.
Females who are able to become pregnant: You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with JELMYTO® and for 6 months after the last dose.
Males being treated with JELMYTO®: If you have a female partner who is able to become pregnant, you should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with JELMYTO® and for 3 months after the last dose. - are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if JELMYTO® passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with JELMYTO® and for 1 week after the last dose.
- Tell your healthcare provider if you take water pills (diuretic).
How will I receive JELMYTO®?
- Your healthcare provider will tell you to take a medicine called sodium bicarbonate before each JELMYTO® treatment.
- You will receive your JELMYTO® dose from your healthcare provider 1 time a week for 6 weeks. It is important that you receive all 6 doses of JELMYTO® according to your healthcare provider’s instructions. If you miss any appointments, call your healthcare provider as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment. Your healthcare provider may recommend up to an additional 11 monthly doses.
- JELMYTO® is given to your kidney through a tube called a catheter.
- During treatment with JELMYTO®, your healthcare provider may tell you to take additional medicines or change how you take your current medicines.
After receiving JELMYTO®:
- JELMYTO® may cause your urine color to change to a violet to blue color. Avoid contact between your skin and urine for at least 6 hours.
- To urinate, males and females should sit on a toilet and flush the toilet several times after you use it. After going to the bathroom, wash your hands, your inner thighs, and genital area well with soap and water.
- Clothing that comes in contact with urine should be washed right away and washed separately from other clothing.
JELMYTO® may cause serious side effects, including:
- Swelling and narrowing of the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder (ureteric obstruction). If you develop swelling and narrowing, and to protect your kidney from damage, your healthcare provider may recommend the placement of a small plastic tube (stent) in the ureter to help the kidney drain. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop side pain or fever during treatment with JELMYTO®.
- Bone marrow problems. JELMYTO® can affect your bone marrow and can cause a decrease in your white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet counts. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests prior to each treatment to check your blood cell counts during treatment with JELMYTO®. Your healthcare provider may need to temporarily or permanently stop JELMYTO® if you develop bone marrow problems during treatment with JELMYTO®.
The most common side effects of JELMYTO® include: urinary tract infection, blood in your urine, side pain, nausea, trouble with urination, kidney problems, vomiting, tiredness, stomach (abdomen) pain.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to UroGen Pharma at 1-855-987-6436.
Please click here for JELMYTO® Full Prescribing Information, including the Patient Information, for additional information.