[livingwith]

I was diagnosed w/bladder CA in August 2009. I had none of the risk factors associated with bladder CA.
A cystoscopy revealed 4 tumors in my bladder. I had my 1st surgery on August 25th. During the 1st surgery, The laser cut thru my bladder wall, so the surgery had to be stopped, and I had my 2nd surgery on Sept. 22nd. Mitomycin-C, a chemotherapy agent was instilled into my bladder the last hour after my 2nd surgery. This was followed by about 8 or 9 BCG treatments, the last one performed on...Read the full article

[Capri]

I am a 66, female, and a smoker diagnosed with Superficial Transitional Cell Bladder Cancer to be removed next Monday, May 24th. I really need someone to talk to regarding my diagnosis. My urologist said after I questioned him that "no" it was not a death sentence. I'm not sure I believe it. He did not mention BCG treatments; will you tell me more about them.

Healthcommunities.com under prognosis says: Superficial bladder cancer has a 5-year survival rate of about 85%. Invasive bladder cancer has a less favorable prognosis. Approximately 5% of patients with metastasized bladder cancer live 2 years after diagnosis. Cases of recurrent bladder cancer indicate an aggressive tumor and a poor prognosis.

I interpret that to mean that the 85% mentioned only have 5 years; would you agree? Please respond and tell me anything you've learned. Do you know of another website with better blogs on bladder cancer; this one doesn't have much action. Jane, I sincerely hope you are doing well. I have no one to talk to and of course am anxious and a little scared. My email is [moderator note: e-mail address has been removed]. I will check back here, but I didn't understand the "Settings", so not sure if I'll get notice of replies. Thank you, Capri