To the folks who say: I\'ll NEVER let them remove my bladder.

Mike..that is exactly what i was trying to say in a much shorter version. Why do you think i've been researching for the past 8 yrs on this and why the importance of the facility and surgeon are of the utmost consideration. I've seen a lot...i've lost a lot of friends..one of them even after 64 nodes were disected....I've seen T1G3 get loose so many times i can't count.
I'm not saying whats the point of RC........I'm saying many statistics are based on really bad uro's, bad pathology or sticking ones head in the sand. Understaging is quite prevalent.
I do think its time for me to retire ..you may now wear my hat!
Pat

Thanks to KC for posting the link to this study in another thread.

There was an interesting finding in that study that warrants mentioning it here as well.

Pros and cons of radical cystectomy in the treatment of T1G3 bladder cancer

Mike

<post deleted (by me) because it didn't come across the way I had intended>

Mike

Pat,

That's true, but in most (if not all but they don't yet have technology to prove it) cases, it had already escaped the bladder and was just undetectable.

The abstract for this study was in Uro Today Thursday, 21 January 2010 and was published just last month.
Surveillance strategies after definitive therapy of invasive bladder cancer


It certainly doesn't mean you need no follow up but the probability of recurrence is extremely reduced.

It also is indicative that a higher number of lymph nodes being removed is better and that if they are all negative for cancer the probability of recurrence is even lower.

They have some good charts in the study as well as some good information. It is pretty long but it's not a difficult read.


Mike

Sorry to say that once they remove your bladder the cancer goes with it is not quite true...i certainly wish it were.
Much depends on the stage and grade of the tumor/tumors..if they have recurred at a higher grade, and i believe the single skill of the surgeon. Micromets have been known to sneak out and lay dorment for some number of years or to pop up right away. Thats why its so important to follow up with your CT scans and blood work.
There are no guarantees with bladder cancer.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19233433
pat

Post deleted since my glass is half full.