Some bladder cancer patients opt for intravesical therapy, which means chemotherapy is administered directly into the bladder; others benefit from approaches like immune checkpoint inhibitors, or a combination of both. During the press conference, Sanders said he chose to have his tumor surgically removed, which is called a cystectomy.

He was diagnosed with bladder cancer after a tumor was discovered. It was an aggressive form of the cancer, and Dr. Kukreja said the plan included removing the bladder entirely and replacing it. He was declared cancer free on Monday. He's received treatments over the years due to the fact that this form of cancer has a high rate of recurrence.