Bladder Cancer Survival Rates

Bladder cancer survival rates refer to the percentage of people who were reported still living after being diagnosed with the cancer about 5 yrs ago.

Now before getting to the rates of survival, let's get to know this type of cancer a little bit more.

The cancer that occurs in the tissues of the urinary bladder is known as bladder cancer. Generally, the cancer usually begins in cells and formulates in the lining of the bladder. Some other types start in thin, flat cells such as squamous cell carcinoma. This type is extended to the bladder then leads to the seemingly endless sufferings with symptoms such as irritation, redness and swelling. The other type is called adenocarcinoma which leads to the secretion of mucus and other bodily fluids. Cancer of the bladder occurs when cells grow wildly and form tumors that affect not just the primary part but also spreads to different tissues and other body parts.

At the first stage, 25% of patients normally have no symptoms. Usually the first sign of bladder tumors is blood in the urine, pain after urination, frequent urination and dribbling. However, these signs and symptoms are not specific to this type of cancer, and can also be caused by noncancerous conditions, such as prostate infections and cystitis.

The cancer of the bladder has a recurrence rate of 50% -80% and thus, doctors recommend cystoscopy screening every three months during the first two years after treatment.

The prognosis depends on the stage of cancer, whether it is superficial or invasive, and has spread to other places in the body. A superficial bladder cancer has a good prognosis, with bladder cancer survival rates at 5 years from 82 to 100%. If the tumor has grown into the wall of the bladder, but has not spread to other organs, treatment usually involves surgical removal of the tumor, or a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, the five years bladder cancer survival rates are at around 60 % to 75%. Patients with bigger tumors, which are also usually less well differentiated, and those with lymphovascular invasion may only have a survival rates of 30% to 50% after radical cystectomy.

The annual U.S. cases are 54,000 more. And the annual death rate is about 12,000. It is important to detect early symptoms so that treatment can start early too. This will increase the bladder cancer survival rates.