Any other females here with bladder cancer in their 50s?

I haven't met with anyone yet. Am still waiting for the pathology results but do have an appointment with the urologist on the 22nd where I expect to hear the results and discuss what's next. I did have an appointment with my family doctor but he wasn't able to tell me much without having pathology results. Thank you

Can I ask why the chemo first? I only ask because the tumor that remains is 5cm in my bladder wall and they were not able to remove it with the other 3 tumors on the 20th of December, so I am just curious why the chemo before removing the bladder as to just something after it is out to make sure it is all gone and nothing is left to spread elsewhere. I don't mean to sound rude, I am just curious why they may not just remove my bladder first.

Good question! My understanding is that's the normal protocol at least for my situation. They like to see that the chemo (cisplatin and gem for me) will shrink the tumor. I believe that helps them confirm that the chemo has worked and would have hopefully reduced any other cancer floating around. They "thought" that it worked from looking at ct scans, but weren't positive. Once I had my surgery they were able to confirm that the chemo did have an effect on the cancer from the tissue they removed. Thank goodness!

I had one lymph node (out of 13) taken out during surgery that was positive but couldn't be seen on the ct scan. Unfortunately I'm not in the clear just yet.

Thank you for your answer. I have found out that my urologist has referred me to another urologist who is about 6 hours away from me. It is at a school. I never asked to be a test tube applicant, so i am so confused. All I know is this muscle invasive cancer has not left my bladder yet but it is basically a ticking time bomb as it is considered the most form of high-grade you can get and now I am put on a triage list. Why won't they just remove my bladder before it starts to spread? Or does it come down to money in the end? Do they get paid for every referral so this school can get patients that can help with research? The pathology report says I have, High-grade urothelial carcinoma with extensive necrosis and squamous differentiation. So yes a ticking time bomb that requires a radical cystectomy immediately before it spreads.

6 hours? Did your doctor mention a clinical trial of some sort? If it is a urologist connected to a university, your doctor may think that's a good option for your situation. That's quite a drive!

From the appointment yesterday with the urologist I found out that it is now graded T3 and the new CT scan that was done after surgery on January 9th that the mussle invasive tumor remaining has now grown outside my bladder wall. So time is not on my side and this bladder needs to get out ASAP.

That's very concerning. Did you like that urologist? What are the next steps suggested? Do you have a surgery date?

I'm so sorry the news wasn't better. I hate that for you.

No surgery date. That is all I am waiting for, a surgeon to have a spot. I am doubtful it will be before it spreads to other organs as that can be any day. Thank you though

Hi! Yes, I am 50 and have bladder cancer. I was diagnosed at 47! I have non-invasive, typically low grade. I've had BCG and Gemdose, but neither has worked, and I have no idea what's next. It's so scary. I just had surgery yesterday (my 4th), and I am recovering on my couch. I'm happy I found this page; this can be a lonely disease. My friends and family are supportive, but it's a unique journey and hard for them to relate to. I never smoked and have no idea how I got this.

Hello! I hope you feel better. I'm 55 (diagnosed at 54) and also never smoked or did anything that might be a cause for bladder cancer. These things are such a mystery.