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      • Nonmuscle Invasive
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Helpful Information SYMPTOMS

TYPES OF BLADDER CANCER

MUSCLE-INVASIVE BLADDER CANCER

Approximately 25% of bladder cancers are muscle-invasive. It means that cancer tumours have grown through the lining of the bladder into or through the bladder muscle. In most cases, this type of cancer is treated through surgery to remove the bladder completely (called a “radical cystectomy”) and to create a new path for urine to leave the body.

In certain very specific cases, treatment may be used which avoids surgery. There could be many reasons for not using surgery to completely remove the bladder. If you’re older, your urologist may feel that surgery is too risky, you may have other health issues that increase the risk from surgery, or you may have personal reasons for not wanting this major surgery.

NONMUSCLE-INVASIVE BLADDER CANCER

Approximately 75% of bladder cancers are nonmuscle-invasive. That means that the bladder cancer is contained completely within the bladder and had not penetrated into the muscle surrounding the bladder. We hope it never happens, but you should also be aware that about 20% of bladder cancer that was originally diagnosed as nonmuscle-invasive, progresses to muscle invasive.

METASTATIC BLADDER CANCER

Bladder cancer is considered “metastatic” when the cancer has spread from the bladder to other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and bone. It’s also called advanced stage IV bladder cancer. Approximately 10-15% of patients are diagnosed at this stage.

Metastatic bladder cancer can be called “de novo,” which means that bladder cancer has already metastasized when it’s first diagnosed. Alternatively, it could metastasize after initial therapy for cancer that has not spread beyond the bladder.

Metastatic disease is associated with a more limited life expectancy than cancer that is diagnosed at an earlier stage. Treatment is geared toward prolonging survival, shrinking or slowing growth of the tumour, easing symptoms and improving quality of life. In other words, helping you live as well as you can for as long as you can. In rare cases, treatment of metastatic bladder cancer may result in a cure.

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    • ABOUT US
      • Our Mission/Vision
      • Board Of Directors
      • Medical Advisory
        and Research Board
      • Sponsors & Partners
      • Financial Statements and Annual Report
      • Contact Us
    • FACING
      BLADDER CANCER
      • Newly Diagnosed?
      • Canadian Patient Guidebooks
      • Dealing With Emotions
      • Get Support
      • Join a Discussion Forum
      • Videos
      • Webinar Recordings
      • Patient Resources
    • HELPFUL
      INFORMATION
      • Bladder Cancer Facts
      • See Red?
      • Symptoms
      • Bladder Cancer Basics
        • How The Body Works
        • Types of Bladder Cancer
        • Causes
        • Diagnosis
        • Staging and Grading
      • How will my cancer be treated?
        • Nonmuscle Invasive
        • Muscle Invasive
        • Bladder Preservation
        • Metastatic Bladder Cancer
      • Bladder Removal
        • Diversion Types
        • Common Issues
        • Chemotherapy
        • After Your Surgery
        • At Home
      • Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma
      • Palliative Care
      • Doctor Resources
      • Glossary
      • Links
    • STORIES,
      NEWS & EVENTS
      • Latest News & Stories
      • Upcoming Meetings And Events
      • Newsletter Archive
    • RESEARCH and
      CLINICAL TRIALS
      • Canadian Bladder Cancer Information System
      • Clinical Trials
      • BCC Funded Research
      • BCC Research Grant
    • GET
      INVOLVED
      • Canada Walks for Bladder Cancer
      • Volunteer
      • Host A Fundraiser
      • Subscribe To Our Newsletter
    • DONATE NOW
      • General Donations
      • Honour & Memorial Donations
      • Join an Awareness Walk
      • Planned Giving
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