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

Posted by talltxlady @talltxlady, Apr 25, 2023

Saying hello as a new member. Sometimes it's difficult to find info for females with bladder cancer, and sometimes it would be nice to have others to connect with.
Start BCG again in May. Have been off of it since December. It has been so nice not to have to think about any of that for a while. Starting to get nervous though, with bcg beginning again very soon. Praying the cancer stays away.
I think I'm the youngest one where I'm being treated. Any other females here with bladder cancer in their 50's?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bladder Cancer Support Group.

A mystery, for sure! I always feel a sense of relief after surgery because I know, at least for that short period, I'm cancer-free!

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I was diagnosed last week with bladder cancer. I am 54.
I had a TURBT the 13th and they found one tumor and diagnosis is High Grade but not invasive. It is contained to the bladder liner and not into the muscle wall. I went today hoping to have the stent removed that they put in last week but found out I get to keep it a little longer. Because my cancer is High Grade I am scheduled for a 2nd TURBT in 3 weeks. After that they plan to do a treatment by injecting meds directly into the bladder. 6 weeks of that. I forgot the name of the meds they will use. After reading some of the entries here I am worried that treatment may not be enough. It seems everyone’s has come right back fairly quick. Should I ask for a different treatment? I am scared

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@hmmm

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.

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I am sorry they are dragging their feet with you. I was diagnosed on a Friday with a bladder scope and set up for surgery that following Monday. I have high grade as well but mine is non invasive and is contained to the bladder lining. The doctor I see has moved very quickly and been wonderful. I am having my second TURBT in a couple weeks to be sure they got it all. Then I will have meds injected by catheter to the bladder once a week for 6 weeks. I forgot the name of the meds. I am scared that treatment won’t work.

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@lorianne10

I was diagnosed last week with bladder cancer. I am 54.
I had a TURBT the 13th and they found one tumor and diagnosis is High Grade but not invasive. It is contained to the bladder liner and not into the muscle wall. I went today hoping to have the stent removed that they put in last week but found out I get to keep it a little longer. Because my cancer is High Grade I am scheduled for a 2nd TURBT in 3 weeks. After that they plan to do a treatment by injecting meds directly into the bladder. 6 weeks of that. I forgot the name of the meds they will use. After reading some of the entries here I am worried that treatment may not be enough. It seems everyone’s has come right back fairly quick. Should I ask for a different treatment? I am scared

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I too was diagnosed last year at age 54. One 5cm tumor, high grade, muscle invasive. I didn't have a choice but to have my bladder removed. However, I see the same things you do, it seems it tends to come back from others sharing their stories.

I had my bladder removed (again I had no choice) and was able to go with a neobladder because I was young and otherwise healthy. (Surgery was in Nov) Sometimes I wonder why others don't go that route if tumors keep coming back. I know everyone's situation is different and it's a huge surgery to have your bladder removed but maybe that would remove all of the cancer for others. I wonder??

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@lorianne10

I am sorry they are dragging their feet with you. I was diagnosed on a Friday with a bladder scope and set up for surgery that following Monday. I have high grade as well but mine is non invasive and is contained to the bladder lining. The doctor I see has moved very quickly and been wonderful. I am having my second TURBT in a couple weeks to be sure they got it all. Then I will have meds injected by catheter to the bladder once a week for 6 weeks. I forgot the name of the meds. I am scared that treatment won’t work.

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Hi!

It sounds like you mean BCG treatment. If that treatment doesn't work there are other treatments. You got this!

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Hi jowilliams1,

How are you feeling about the neobladder?

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@jowilliams1

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.

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Hello, I am 51 and also have never smoked so yes it is very frustrating to say the least.

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@hmmm

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.

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@hmmm Hi Tanya, my husband has also been diagnosed the same as you. He’s going for his chemo , then the RC. I’m praying that you have your surgery appointment has been made by now. 🙏🙏🙏🙏

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@fighting50

Hi jowilliams1,

How are you feeling about the neobladder?

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I'm glad I went that route. It takes a while for things to work like they should but I knew that going in so I'm practicing my patience. I am dealing with control issues but my surgeon is optimistic that within the next few months I should have that under control again.

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