Stage IV Bladder Cancer or not ?

Leigh, we keep hearing the phrase that Stage IV is not curable but it is treatable. So we focus on the word treatable. Julie

Dear Wendy,

Thank you for your reply to my message...

I understand your explanation of the stage IV because of the nodal spread.

It just seems a little confusing at times when I read that stage IV is not curable, yet they give me a 20% chance of survival. I guess if I took no action from the beginning in having treatment then it would have become terminal.

As you mentioned I have done everything possible medically to improve my survival odds.

I am way past caring about statistics now thankfully, but do recall in the beginning my frantic and desperate hunger to search out those facts and figures.

Thanks again Wendy,
Leigh

Hi Leigh,

Uhm...there is no stage 5, cancer is staged from I-IV. There are different stagings used depending on what type cancer it is. For example, breast cancer will stage a woman at II even with (minumal) nodal spread. Bladder cancer is much stricter and stages a person at IV with any nodal spread, even a single node that's been removed. But that doesn't portend a death sentence, although it could if a person had not received treatment.

Your doctor said you have no metastasis, meaning distant mets which would be stage IV big time. He used the word regional, and it's true, the spread was minimal, to regional nodes and they were removed. This whole situation is much more treatable than if it were distant nodes, or a vital organ. You've done every treatment called for in this situation, are in good health and have the odds in your favor.

5 yrs 20 percent may not sound great...but all things are relative once cancer has been diagnosed and these stats, though not perfect, could be much much worse. There's a saying that "2 will get you 5", and "5 will get you 10" and so on. It's the truth..the longer we survive, the longer we survive.

Take care,
wendy

Leigh,

You are a real trooper. Hang in there and hopefully you will continue to get clear scans.

Clara

Dear Forum,

I have just returned from my oncologist appointment and was able to get an explanation for my understanding of the stages.

I am still confirmed as a stage 4 because I have no known mets. Even though my tumour invaded my bladder and prostate and 17 nodes this is known here as regional disease.

During RC all affected areas were removed which is standard in an RC and I am happy my surgeon chose to be aggressive with nodal removal.

What suprised me to learn today was that the surgeon does not even know how many nodes he/she removes until pathology reports it. I assumed they could see them clearly as nodules but they are wrapped and hidden in the fatty tissue which is what they remove.

I am assured I do not have metastic bladder cancer which is obviously a great relief.

I am due for CT scans at the end of Aug and these will continue every four months for two years then they will be twice a year.

The survival chance for my diagnosis for the next five years which is only statistical is 20%. After two years of having clear scans the survival chance goes up for each clear scan.

Many thanks for everyones help and support.

Leigh

Hi Leigh, I am sorry to see that you are distressed as it seemed you have a fairly good relationship with your new doctors. You need to discuss your anxieties with your doc for your own peace of mind.
I know you will be OK you are a strong and positive person with a great sense of humor. As you can see a few people are concerned about you so please let us know, if you feel up to it how your meeting went with your doc.
As ever best wishes to you. Maria xx