Stage 2 bladder cancer can present many symptoms, which may include frequent and/or painful urination, presence of blood in urine, pelvic pain, night sweats, and/or unintentional weight loss. As the cancer progresses, other symptoms may include lower back pain, pain or a feeling of fullness in the lower belly area, or decreased appetite.
To properly diagnose stage 2 bladder cancer, your doctor will likely perform a number of tests such as urinalysis, CT or MRI scans to better understand the cancer’s size and position. Additionally, they may perform a biopsy to determine the grade and stage of the cancer more accurately.
It is important to note that many people showing these symptoms may not actually have bladder cancer. It is important to speak to a qualified medical professional for a proper diagnosis.
How long can you live with stage 2 bladder cancer?
It depends on the individual situation and the type of bladder cancer one has because the prognosis for bladder cancer varies from person to person.
In most cases, those diagnosed with stage 2 bladder cancer can have a 5-year relative survival rate of up to 93%. Other studies have suggested that this figure is as high as 95%. These numbers indicate that when caught early and treated correctly, most people have a good chance of living for at least five years after diagnosis.
Though 5-year relative survival rates for stage 2 bladder cancer are generally good, it is important to note that this type of cancer can be quite aggressive, and recurrence is possible. Therefore, proper monitoring, lifestyle changes, and regular check-ups are key to a good long-term prognosis.
It is also vital to understand that the general survival rate is just an average and one’s experience will depend on their personal situation, treatment, lifestyle and other factors.
Is Stage 2 bladder cancer curable?
The answer to this question depends on many different factors, including the size, grade, and stage of the tumor, as well as the patient’s overall health and response to treatment. Stage 2 bladder cancer is classified as locally advanced and has a higher risk of spreading to surrounding areas and organs than Stage 1 cancer.
When bladder cancer is detected at an early stage, it is often curable by removing the tumor with surgery and/or by using radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy. However, with Stage 2 bladder cancer, the tumor has usually grown into the inner layers of the bladder wall and/or has spread to nearby lymph nodes, which makes treatment more complicated.
In some cases, these tumors may be too large to be successfully removed with surgery, and radiation or chemotherapy may not be sufficient to kill all remaining cancer cells.
Therefore, while Stage 2 bladder cancer is still considered treatable, it is not always curable. The outlook for a patient’s recovery depends on the patient’s age, overall health, and stage of the tumor, as well as the specific treatment plan pursued.
Even if the cancer is not curable, treatment can still be used to alleviate symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life. Your doctor can provide you with more information on your individual prognosis.
Does bladder cancer ever completely go away?
In some cases, bladder cancer can go away completely. If a person is diagnosed with non-invasive bladder cancer and is able to catch it early, through routine visits to the doctor and/or regular screenings, treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgical removal of the tumor, can be highly effective in eliminating the cancer and reducing the chances of recurrence.
There are also advanced treatments and therapies, such as immunotherapy and targeted drug therapy, that can target the cancer and help to eradicate it from the body.
However, if the individual is diagnosed with invasive bladder cancer and the cancer has metastasized (spread) to other parts of the body, then the cancer cannot be completely eliminated and can only be managed.
Invasive bladder cancer is difficult to treat and often progresses, so ongoing treatment and monitoring is essential to limit its progression and improve the individual’s overall quality of life.
Do you always need chemo for bladder cancer?
No, chemo is not always necessary for bladder cancer. The need for chemotherapy depends on the stage of the cancer and a person’s overall health. For people with very early stages of bladder cancer, cycling chemotherapy and immunotherapy may not be necessary.
For more advanced stages of bladder cancer, chemotherapy may be recommended as part of the treatment plan. Doctors may also recommend chemotherapy prior to surgery or radiation therapy, or to those cases that have spread to other organs.
That being said, the exact course of treatment will depend on the individual patient and should be determined in consultation with a healthcare provider.
At what stage of bladder cancer is chemotherapy used?
Chemotherapy is typically used to treat bladder cancer in the metastatic stage, which is when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body beyond the bladder. This stage is usually identified through imaging tests or scans such as PET scans and CT scans.
If bladder cancer has been diagnosed early, chemotherapy may also be given first before or in conjunction with radiation therapy and surgery to shrink the tumor and make it easier to surgically remove.
Depending on the severity of the cancer, chemotherapy may also be recommended at earlier stages.
In some cases, chemotherapy is used after surgery to help reduce the chances of the cancer recurring. In this case, the treatments are often used to destroy any remaining cancer cells. This is known as adjuvant chemotherapy and is typically used in combination with other treatments.
Some doctors may also combine chemotherapy with immunotherapy for bladder cancer, for a more comprehensive approach.
It’s important to remember that the best course of action for each individual case of bladder cancer depends on its severity and spread, as well as a patient’s overall health, medical history and age.
It’s important to consult a doctor to determine the best course of action.
Can bladder cancer ever be cured?
In some cases, it is possible to completely cure bladder cancer. This largely depends on how early the cancer was detected and the stage that it is in. If bladder cancer is detected early enough and the cancer is still in a pre-invasive stage (meaning it hasn’t spread to other parts of the body yet), then it can often be removed surgically.
In some cases, it can even be removed with just a scope, a thin wire-like tool that is inserted through the urinary tract. Depending on the size, depth and location of the cancer, additional follow-up treatments may be necessary such as chemotherapy, radiation, photodynamic therapy, or immunotherapy.
If the cancer has spread beyond the bladder, it may still be treatable, but it may be less likely that the cancer can be completely cured. In any case, most cancers can be managed medically or through various treatments to relieve symptoms and extend the patient’s life expectancy.
Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor to get a better understanding of what treatments are available and what would be the best course of action.
What are the signs that bladder cancer is getting worse?
Signs that bladder cancer is getting worse can vary depending on the type of bladder cancer, and may include:
– Blood in the urine (hematuria).
– Urinary obstruction caused by the tumor.
– Pelvic pain or pressure.
– Strong and persistent urgency to urinate, or difficulty starting a stream of urine.
– Low back pain or discomfort, especially right below the ribs.
– Painful, frequent, or difficult urination.
– Unexplained weight loss.
– Unexplained fatigue.
– A feeling of fullness in the bladder, even after urinating.
– New lumps or masses in the abdomen or pelvis.
– Enlargement of the lymph nodes.
These symptoms may come on slowly as the cancer progresses from early stages to more severe. It is important to contact a medical professional if any of these symptoms appear, as they could indicate a more serious problem.
Depending on the severity of bladder cancer, additional treatments or lifestyle changes may be necessary to help mitigate the symptoms and slow the progression of the cancer.
How do you know if bladder cancer has spread?
If bladder cancer has spread, it could be detected through urine tests, imaging, endoscopy, and biopsy. However, it is important to note that the presence of cancer cells in any of these tests only indicates that the cancer may have spread.
In order to know for certain, a more detailed and invasive analysis, such as lymph node biopsy or imaging scans of other organs, must be performed.
Urine tests may show the presence of microscopic blood, protein, or other cellular material in the urine, which could be an indication of bladder cancer that has spread. These tests are typically done through a cystoscopy, which looks for physical signs of blader cancer such as tumors or blockages.
Imaging tests, such as computerized tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may reveal tumors in or around the bladder or abnormal growths in the lymph nodes or other organs, although these tests cannot definitively diagnose cancer.
An endoscopy can also be used to identify any suspicious growths or lesions that may be present in the bladder. If a biopsy is taken during the endoscopy, it can help confirm the presence of cancerous cells.
Finally, a lymph node biopsy is a method used to determine if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, which would indicate that the tumor has metastasized. An imaging scan of other organs may also reveal evidence of cancer beyond the bladder wall.
In conclusion, there are several tests that can be used to detect if bladder cancer has spread to other parts of the body. The presence of cancer cells in the tests does not necessarily confirm that the cancer has spread, but it could indicate that further tests are needed for a definitive diagnosis.
What happens to your body when you have bladder cancer?
When you have bladder cancer, tumors can develop in the lining of the bladder. These tumors can be both benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous). Depending on the type and stage of your bladder cancer, signs and symptoms may include frequent and painful urination, blood in the urine, lower back pain on either side of the spine, loss of appetite or weight loss, or anemia.
If bladder cancer is suspected, your doctor may order diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis, such as an imaging test (e.g., X-ray, CT scan, or MRI) or a cystoscopy (in which a thin tube with a camera is inserted into the bladder).
Your doctor may also order a urine test to check for blood and a urine cytology to check for abnormal cells.
If cancer is confirmed and depending on the type and stage, treatment may include surgery to remove the affected part of the bladder, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of treatments. Even with the best treatments, some cases of bladder cancer may be difficult to treat, and the disease may come back after it has been treated.
Where is the first place bladder cancer spreads?
The first place bladder cancer typically spreads is to the layer of fat and muscle surrounding the bladder, which is called the perivesical tissue. From there, bladder cancer can spread to other organs, such as the lymph nodes and other nearby organs, including the prostate, uterus, vagina and rectum.
Other common areas bladder cancer can spread to include the lungs, liver and bones. Cancer cells can also spread through the bloodstream, allowing them to move to distant parts of the body such as the brain, bones and lungs.