Contents
Can bladder cancer kill you?
· Low-grade bladder cancers look a lot like normal bladder cells. They tend to grow and spread slowly. High-grade bladder cancers look less like normal bladder cells. These cancers are more likely to grow and spread. They can be harder to treat. Stage
What is the life expectancy for bladder cancer?
· Some behave very aggressively while others do not. Generally, high grade (a microscopic feature) cancers are associated with high risk of larger tumors (high stage) which may spread and even be fatal. Low grade tumors typically do not spread outside of the bladder, though both kinds can often recur. 5.6k views Answered >2 years ago Thank 20 thanks
How dangerous is bladder cancer?
· Though this really is not always the case, cancers of the bladder normally spread locally or to lymph nodes before spreading distantly through the bloodstream. Bones and the lungs will be the most ordinary sites to be involved, if propagate through the bloodstream does occur. The TNM systems are utilized to describe many forms of cancers.
What can happen once bladder cancer start to spread?
When bladder cancer spreads, it first invades the bladder wall, which is made up of four distinct layers. It can take some time for cancer to penetrate all of these layers, but once it has, it can then spread into the surrounding fatty tissues and lymph nodes.
Where does bladder cancer spread first?
When bladder cancer spreads, it first invades the bladder wall, which is made up of four distinct layers. It can take some time for cancer to penetrate all of these layers, but once it has, it can then spread into the surrounding fatty tissues and lymph nodes.
How fast can bladder cancer grow?
Conclusions. Nearly three-fourths of patients diagnosed with high-risk bladder cancer will recur, progress, or die within ten years of their diagnosis.
Does bladder cancer always spread?
Not all bladder cancers will spread. But If it does it’s most likely to spread to the structures close to the bladder, such as the ureters, urethra, prostate, vagina, or into the pelvis.
What are the chances of bladder cancer spreading?
Extent of cancer at the time of diagnosis About 1 in 3 bladder cancers have spread into deeper layers but are still only in the bladder. In most of the remaining cases, the cancer has spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes outside the bladder. Rarely (in about 4% of cases), it has spread to distant parts of the body.
Can you live 10 years with bladder cancer?
Bladder cancer survival rates by stage According to the American Cancer Society , the relative survival rates for all stages of bladder cancer are: 5 years: 77 percent. 10 years: 70 percent. 15 years: 65 percent.
Can bladder cancer symptoms come and go?
Symptoms often come and go, and are often not severe. The most common symptoms include the following: Hematuria (blood in the urine) — The most common sign of bladder cancer is blood in the urine (hematuria).
What are the signs that bladder cancer has spread?
The signs and symptoms of bladder cancer that has spread to other parts of the body include:tiredness or weakness.pain when urinating.difficulty urinating or inability to urinate.pain in the lower back on one side of the body.weight loss.swollen feet.bone pain.
Do you feel ill with bladder cancer?
Nausea and vomiting. Burning or pain when you urinate, feeling the need to go often, or blood in urine. Diarrhea. Feeling tired.
Which of the following is usually the first symptom of bladder cancer?
For most people, the first symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine, also called hematuria. Sometimes the blood is visible, prompting the patient to visit a doctor.
What is the life expectancy of someone with bladder cancer?
5-year relative survival rates for bladder cancerSEER Stage5-year Relative Survival RateIn situ alone Localized96% 70%Regional38%Distant6%All SEER stages combined77%Mar 1, 2022
Is bladder cancer aggressive?
It has not grown in toward the hollow part of the bladder, and it has not spread to the thick layer of muscle or connective tissue of the bladder (Tis, N0, M0). This is always a high-grade cancer (see “Grades,” below) and is considered an aggressive disease because it can lead to muscle-invasive disease.
Is a 5 cm bladder tumor large?
CONCLUSIONS: Larger tumor size (>5 cm) is associated with greater length of stay, reoperation, readmission, and death following TURBT. Patients should be counseled appropriately and likely warrant vigilant observation prior to and following hospital discharge.
How Does The Doctor Know I Have Bladder Cancer?
Bladder cancer might cause symptoms such as: 1. Having trouble peeing 2. Feeling pain when peeing 3. Needing to go more often than normal 4. Seeing…
Tests to Look For Bladder Cancer
Your doctor may do other tests to find out more about the cancer. Some of them are:X-ray: Dye is put into a vein for a special x-ray of the kidneys…
How Serious Is My Cancer?
If you have bladder cancer, the doctor will want to find out how far it has spread. This is called staging. Your doctor will want to find out the s…
What Kind of Treatment Will I Need?
There’s more than one way to treat bladder cancer. You might want to get a second opinion about the best treatment plan for you. Doctors may have d…
What Will Happen After Treatment?
You will be glad when treatment is over. But it’s hard not to worry about cancer coming back. Even when cancer never comes back, people still worry…
Can bladder cancer spread?
It depends: There are different types of bladder cancer. Some behave very aggressively while others do not. Generally, high grade (a microscopic feature) cancers are associated with high risk of larger tumors (high stage) which may spread and even be fatal. Low grade tumors typically do not spread outside of the bladder, though both kinds can often recur.
Can a low grade tumor spread outside the bladder?
Low grade tumors typically do not spread outside of the bladder, though both kinds can often recur. Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers — it’s anonymous and free! Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours.
How long does it take for a tumor to recur?
Depends: It depends on the type of cancer and stage at the time sof diagnosis. If it is a non-aggressive form, it may take months or sometimes years to recur. If the tumor is very aggressive or advanced at the time of diagnosis, it is much more likely to recur quickly.
Can bladder cancer spread through the lymphatic system?
This local extension is the most common way bladder cancer spreads. By accessing the lymphatic system, cancer can also spread.
Where does bladder cancer come from?
Bladder cancers appear almost entirely from the innermost lining of the bladder, so they are referred to as transitional cell or urothelial cancer. This simply means that the cancer started in the lining of the bladder, which can be composed of transitional cells that appear elliptical beneath the microscope.
What is the change in the look of cancer cells called?
This change in the look of cancer cells is known as the tumor level , and cancer cells are described as being well-differentiated, moderately-differentiated, poorly-differentiated, or undifferentiated.
Is bladder cancer a precancerous disease?
Generally, bladder cancers develop in a “papillary” growing pattern. Moreover, there can be precancerous lesions in the bladder, called car cinoma-in-situ. Carcinoma-in-situ occurs when the lining of the bladder experiences changes similar to cancerous changes without any invasion into the deeper tissues.
How many people died from bladder cancer in 2015?
It is projected that in 2015 in the United States, there will be 74,000 new cases of bladder cancer, resulting in 16,000 deaths. It’s the sixth most frequent cancer diagnosis in the United States, being more common in girls and eleventh the third most common in guys. In America, bladder cancer will affect older men more frequently;
Is bladder cancer more common in older men?
In America, bladder cancer will affect older men more frequently ; with men affected more than women by a 3:1 ratio the cases diagnosed in individuals over the age of 65. Off and 2/3. Cigarette smoking is the biggest risk factor for bladder cancer.
Is smoking a cigarette a cause of bladder cancer?
Cigarette smoking is the biggest risk factor for bladder cancer. It’s projected that about half of bladder cancers are due to cigarette smoking. If you’re a smoker, the possibility of being identified as having bladder cancer is increased two to four times.
How does bladder cancer affect survival?
The factors influencing survival include: 1 Age: Increasing age has been linked to a lower survival rate in people with bladder cancer. 7 2 Sex: A literature review of 27 studies and 23,754 patients found that women had a greater risk for disease recurrence following localized treatment of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. 8 3 Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of recurrence and mortality in people with bladder cancer. 9 4 Recurrence: Recurrence of bladder cancer forebodes a poor prognosis, with a median survival of six months after recurrence. Although people with local recurrence have a slightly better prognosis, those with disease recurrence at local and distant sites perform very poorly.
How long does bladder cancer last?
While bladder cancer is relatively common, the average five-year survival rate is quite high at 76.9%. This rate has improved over the past several years, and a person’s chance of survival is influenced by many factors.
What is the difference between regional and distant cancer?
Regional means the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or organs and tissues, while distant refers to cancer that has metastasized to distant organs or lymph nodes. The earlier the cancer is found, the higher the chances of survival.
What is the survival rate for bladder cancer?
For bladder cancer, the five-year relative survival rate when the cancer is at the localized stage is 69.2%. 1. Five-Year Survival Rates by Stage for Bladder Cancer. Stage.
What is the prognosis of bladder cancer?
Prognosis describes how severe a person’s cancer is and their chances of survival. It is influenced by factors that are not reflected in the SEER survival statistics. Chief among them are the type, stage, and grade of bladder cancer. Other factors also contribute.
What type of cancer is in the bladder?
The two most common types of cancer affecting the bladder are: Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC): Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder starts in the bladder. In a study of 33,761 patients in Norway, transitional cell carcinoma accounted for 95% of bladder cancer cases. 2.
Is bladder cancer muscle invasive?
Approximately 20% of newly diagnosed bladder cancer cases are muscle-invasive. 5. Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: The cancer in this case is confined to the inner surface of the bladder and does not involve the bladder muscle. Some cases may progress to muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
How does bladder cancer spread?
Bladder cancer spreads when cancerous cells reproduce and invade surrounding healthy tissues. This is known as metastasis. Usually, metastatic bladder cancer refers to cancer that has spread to distant organs, but metastasis can occur locally in the muscles and connective tissues that are directly adjacent to the bladder as well.
Can bladder cancer spread to other organs?
Metastatic bladder cancer can also spread to other organs in the urinary and reproductive tracts, such as the prostate, uterus and vagina.
Where does bladder cancer metastasize?
Usually, metastatic bladder cancer refers to cancer that has spread to distant organs, but metastasis can occur locally in the muscles and connective tissues that are directly adjacent to the bladder as well.
Where does bladder cancer occur?
Usually, metastatic bladder cancer refers to cancer that has spread to distant organs, but metastasis can occur locally in the muscles and connective tissues that are directly adjacent to the bladder as well.
Is bladder cancer a secondary tumor?
It’s important to remember that when bladder cancer spreads, the secondary tumors are still considered to be bladder cancer – not lung cancer, liver cancer or any other type of malignancy.
What is the treatment for bladder cancer?
Potential treatment options may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and clinical trials.
What is the first treatment for bladder cancer?
Chemo (with or without radiation) is typically the first treatment when bladder cancer has spread to distant parts of the body (M1). After this treatment the cancer is rechecked. If it looks like it’s gone, a boost of radiation to the bladder may be given or cystectomy might be done.
Can bladder cancer be cured?
The outlook for people with stage 0a (non-invasive papillary) bladder cancer is very good. These cancers can be cured with treatment. During long-term follow-up care, more superficial cancers are often found in the bladder or in other parts of the urinary system.
What are the factors that affect cancer treatment?
Other factors, such as the size of the tumor, how fast the cancer cells are growing (grade), and a person’s overall health and preferences, also affect treatment options.
What is stage 0 bladder cancer?
Stage 0 bladder cancer includes non-invasive papillary carcinoma (Ta) and flat non-invasive carcinoma (Tis or carcinoma in situ). In either case, the cancer is only in the inner lining layer of the bladder. It has not invaded (spread deeper into) the bladder wall.
Can you get a partial cystectomy for bladder cancer?
Lymph nodes near the bladder are often removed as well. If cancer is in only one part of the bladder, a partial cystectomy may be done instead. But this is possible in only a small number of patients . Radical cystectomy may be the only treatment for people who are not well enough to get chemo.
Is stage IV bladder cancer hard to treat?
These cancers have reached the pelvic or abdominal wall (T4b), may have spread to nearby lymph nodes (any N), and/or have spread to distant parts of the body (M1). Stage IV cancers are very hard to get rid of completely.
Can stage IV cancer spread to lymph nodes?
These cancers have reached the pelvic or abdominal wall (T4b), may have spread to nearby lymph nodes (any N), and/or have spread to distant parts of the body (M1). Stage IV cancers are very hard to get rid of completely.
How long do people with bladder cancer live?
Overall, 70 to 90 percent of people with localized bladder cancer will live for at least five years or more . The physician calculates this with the help of survival rates. Survival rates indicate the percentage of people who live with a certain type of cancer for a specific time. The physician often uses an overall five-year survival rate.
Is bladder cancer treatable?
Thus, bladder cancer, if detected in the early stage is treatable and has higher survival rates. However, if the cancer is detected in the advanced stages, treatment becomes difficult and the survival rate is low.
What is SEER in cancer?
The surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) stages are taken from the SEER database, maintained by the National Cancer Institute. SEER database groups cancers into localized, regional, and distant stages.
What is the difference between high grade and low grade bladder cancer?
Low-grade cancers: Less aggressive cancers have a low chance of becoming high grade and do not require aggressive treatments, such as radiation or bladder removal.
Can a doctor remove a bladder tumor?
The physician may either remove the tumor or burn them down. Next, the physician places medications inside the bladder to prevent the recurrence of cancer. High-grade superficial tumors that tend to return once or twice after treatment are severe and require surgery to remove the bladder.
What is the procedure to remove bladder cancer?
Tumors in the bladder muscle: In case of bladder cancer that has invaded the muscle wall but hasn’t spread to the lymph nodes, the physician recommends radical cystectomy. In this procedure, the physician removes the bladder, nearby lymph nodes and other nearby organs.
What is the first line of treatment for metastatic bladder cancer?
Then, the physician may perform a radical cystectomy to remove cancer that has invaded beyond the bladder wall. Metastatic bladder cancer: Platinum-based chemotherapy is the first line of treatment for this type of bladder cancer.
Where Bladder Cancer Can Spread
The bladder is a hollow organ that holds urine. It has flexible walls that are composed of several layers. When bladder cancer starts to spread, it grows through each layer of the bladder wall.
Symptoms and Complications
The first symptom of bladder cancer is usually blood in the urine. However, it’s possible to have blood in your urine and not see it. Laboratory testing can identify blood in urine, even when it’s not visible to the eye. As bladder cancer spreads, you may experience other symptoms, too. Advanced bladder cancer symptoms include: 5
Treatment Options
Treatments for metastatic bladder cancer can vary, based on things like how extensively your cancer has spread, your overall health and strength, and your current symptoms.
Living With Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer symptoms and treatments can be overwhelming. No matter where you are on your treatment journey, you’ll need to meet with your healthcare provider for regular checkups and tests. Talking to your healthcare team about the next steps and what to expect can provide a road map during this time.
Prognosis
Metastatic bladder cancer is a challenging diagnosis. Your health, strength, and age will all play a role in your prognosis. How well your cancer responds to treatment is also a significant factor.
Summary
Metastatic bladder cancer is cancer that has spread outside of the bladder to other parts of the body. If you have metastatic bladder cancer, your treatment will be focused on destroying or slowing down cancer cells throughout your body, not just in your bladder.
A Word From Verywell
A diagnosis of metastatic bladder cancer can feel overwhelming, but there’s treatment to help manage symptoms and slow disease progression. No matter where you are on your treatment journey, it’s important to maintain regular appointments with your healthcare provider to keep your cancer under control.
How long does bladder cancer last?
A particular stage of bladder cancer, for example, may have a 90% five-year relative survival rate. The 90% figure comes from dividing the percentage of people with cancer who are alive after five years by the percentage of people without the disease who are also alive after five years.
Can bladder cancer return?
Even early-stage bladder cancers have a likelihood of returning, so after treatment, you’ll want to continue to see your doctor for follow-up appointments to monitor for recurrence. The types of tests and the frequency of testing depend on the type of cancer and your treatment.
How many cases of bladder cancer are there in 2019?
Is Bladder Cancer Curable? Every year, there are around 81,400 new cases of bladder cancer, of which nearly 18,000 are fatal. In 2019, around 4.6% of all new cancer cases were bladder cancer. Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer among men, and ninth overall.
Is bladder cancer a treatable disease?
Bladder cancer is usually treatable when caught at an early stage but more challenging to address when found later. Recurrence also poses a risk, even with early-stage tumors, so regular surveillance is essential following treatment or surgery.
How can bladder cancer be classified?
Bladder cancer tumors can be classified further based on the way cancer cells look when viewed through a microscope, given this then dictates how they behave. The appearance of the cells contributes to “tumor grade” classification.
Is bladder cancer high grade or low grade?
Bladder cancer can be either high grade or low grade, though a three grade numbering system is often used to provide more detail. High-grade bladder tumor: A type of tumor with abnormal-looking cells and tissue.
What is a low grade bladder tumor?
Low-grade bladder tumor: A type of tumor with cells closer in organization and appearance to healthy cells. They typically grow more gradually and are less likely to invade the bladder’s muscular wall than high-grade tumors.