08/07/13 diagnosed with T2aG3. age 65

Well, that certainly wasn't news you were eager to hear!!! And Catherine is correct in that they may very well recommend cystectomy (bladder removal). There is a LOT of information on this Forum from those who have been there/done that.

Another thing that you will see a lot of on this Forum is a recommendation that anyone facing such a serious diagnosis get a second opinion. An excellent urologist will welcome this (mine said that if it ever came to cystectomy...it hasn't... he would INSIST that I get one.) You are not far from several really good places in Phoenix. One is Dr. Donald Lamm at BCOncology, and the other would be Mayo Clinic there. The more information you "dig out" before making any decisions, such as type of diversion, the better you will be. The best result of a second opinion is that you will find out, as you suspect, that your current urologist is "right on" with recommendations and treatment options, as well as experience. And, if that isn't true, you would want to find out sooner rather than later.

You also want to have a doctor who specializes in bladder cancer (many urologists treat mostly prostate issues) and, should surgery be the recommendation, that he does MANY of these a year. Practice makes perfect....but you don't want to be practiced on!!!

Feel free to ask any questions you may have. There a many guys (guys and gals differ in some respects ) who can offer more advice.

Sara Anne

Hello Warren... I am very sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis. Welcome to our forum, although I know it is a group you never expected, nor wanted, to join.

I see that your second TURBT upstaged your diagnosis which is not uncommon. It is good that now you know more precisely what you are dealing with. As your urologist has probably discussed with you, having a high-grade(G3) invasive bladder cancer could mean radical cystectomy. It is hard to know what to ask/insist on until after your visit with the oncologist and hear his recommendations. The first order of business will be to assess if there is any evidence of cancer elsewhere which the PET scan will show.

Others here with more experience and who may have had a similar diagnosis may be able to offer you more upfront advice. Please let us know how your oncologist appointment goes. Best wishes on getting a good result from you PET scan as well.

Hang in there... getting through this fact-finding stage is difficult and scary. Then you and your doctors can decide how to kick this cancer's butt! We will be there with you to answer questions as best we can along the way.