Hi, I'm new to this forum.
After I've found blood in my urine in January, I was eventually diagnosed with an aggressive high-grade T2 bladder cancer.
The RC is scheduled for August and chemotherapy is starting in 2 weeks. However, my oncologist said the chemo increases my chances by only 5% while my overall prognosis of survival after 5 years is around 50%.
I'm 42 years old and married with my wonderful wife since only one year. We were to start our life together but now I don't even know whether this or the next summer will be my last one. I'm deeply saddened and I can't think of anything else. I'm heartbroken and I hope someone can give me an educated guess regarding my real chances (worst/best case) based on my diagnosis (see below) as my doctors are holding back with estimates as usual.
A. BLADDER TUMOR, TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION / FROZEN SECTION:
- POORLY DIFFERENTIATED CARCINOMA, HIGH GRADE, INVASIVE, WITH MARKED FREEZING AND POSSIBLE CAUTERY ARTIFACT.
B. SUPERFICIAL BLADDER TUMOR, TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION:
- POORLY DIFFERENTIATED, INVASIVE CARCINOMA, WITH IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STAINING PROFILE COMPATIBLE WITH HIGH GRADE, POORLY DIFFERENTIATED, INVASIVE UROTHELIAL CARCINOMA.
- INVASION OF MUSCULARIS PROPRIA / DETRUSOR MUSCLE IS IDENTIFIED. C. BASE OF BLADDER TUMOR, TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION:
- POORLY DIFFERENTIATED, INVASIVE CARCINOMA, COMPATIBLE WITH HIGH-GRADE, POORLY DIFFERENTIATED, INVASIVE UROTHELIAL CARCINOMA.
- TUMOR SHOWS INVASION OF MUSCULARIS PROPRIA / DETRUSOR MUSCLE.
COMMENT: In specimens B and C the tumor shows extensive invasion of muscularis propria.
I know it's a long way to go and anything can happen. Yet I'd need to know more in order to make peace with whatever could happen.
I'm grateful for all your feedback!
J.