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Recurrences of Bladder Cancer Tumors

Recurrent bladder cancer indicates the illness has returned to the organ and possibly other parts of the body. Treatments for recurrent bladder cancer depend on several factors.

  1. Considerations About Superficial Bladder Cancer

    • If you were diagnosed with superficial bladder cancer (cancer limited to the innermost lining), you are likely to experience recurrences throughout your life, according to the University of Florida Shands Cancer Center. Between 20 and 40 percent of people with stage 1 bladder cancer experience a progression to more advanced stages.

    Treatment for Superficial Bladder Recurrence

    • Treatments for recurrent superficial bladder cancer (stage 1) typically are the same ones administered during the original treatments. This usually includes a surgical procedure that removes the cancerous matter. If there are frequent recurrences, a doctor might recommend removing part of the bladder, though rarely all of it.

    Superficial Bladder Cancer That Recurs at Advanced Stage

    • If superficial bladder cancer recurs at a more advanced stage it requires more extensive treatment. If cancer has recurred at stage 2 or stage 3 it could require partial or complete removal of the bladder or a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. Several factors, including the size and location of the cancer, will determine the most appropriate treatment. If superficial bladder cancer recurs at stage 4, chemotherapy becomes the main treatment and is used primarily to relieve symptoms, as a cure is unlikely.

    Recurrences of Invasive Bladder Cancer

    • If the initial cancer is more advanced (beyond stage 1) and recurs it might require a cystectomy if you have not already had one previously; this is not common for stage 4 cancers. Your treatments will depend on a variety of factors and might include chemotherapy and radiation. You might also want to consider clinical trials particularly if you have end-stage bladder cancer.

    Outlook

    • Several factors will affect your prognosis of recurrent bladder tumors; they include the stage of bladder disease, the type of tumor, the grade of bladder cancer tumors, (how different they look from normal bladder cells), your age and general health.

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