Question Title: Chances of a complete cure and likelihood of prgression to invasive cancer

I have been diagnosed (September '98) as having a Grade II transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. I originally had five quite large tumours which were all removed. I then underwent six weeks of treatment with Mitomycin C. I then had a cystoscopy a month after completion of this treatment and the tumours had returned. I then underwent a further resection (TURB). Three months later, I had a further cystoscopy, at which time it was discovered the tumours had recurred again. I am now undergoing treatment (six weeks) with intravesical BCG.

I am 35 years old (which I have been told is very young for this type of cancer) and I would like your opinion on the chances of a complete recovery and the chances of the cancer progressing.

Thanking you for your assistance.

Dear Margaret,
Traditionally bladder cancer has been categorized as being either superficial or invasive, depending on whether the cancer has invaded the muscularis propria of the bladder. Thus superficial bladder cancer, which it sounds like you have been treated for, includes a spectrum of cancers with markedly different biological potentials. The overall 5 year survival is 95% and about 20-50% progress to higher stages. Patients with lamina propria invasion have a worse prognosis with a 5 year survival of 72%. Since you had an early recurrence, you are deemed to have a more aggressive cancer. If your cancer does progress to being muscle invasive, this would require an operation to remove the bladder.
The chance of a cure from this cancer is very low since you have failed intravesicle chemotherapy twice. The most important thing you can do for your future is to follow closely with cystoscopy and your urologist.
This information is provided for general medical educational purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its satellites (1 800 653-6568).

Sincerely,
HFHS M.D.-AK
*keyword:Bladder cancer

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