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

They have a surgery date scheduled for February 19th. But now they are also looking into possible chemo and or radiation first which would postpone the surgery. I am a bit frustrated because even the urologist says that it isn't effective for this cancer and it already spreading so fast.

@hmmm it must be a relief to finally have the surgery date picked out. My husband is going to the oncologist to do chemo and then, RC. I wish it were all over with. I need to be more patient. But he has a MIBC…I think minimum stage 2. So, it is fast moving. He went for the TURBT last week & the urologist called us within 2 days with the Pathology report. I know how you feel…I have been in a mad rush since he found out a month ago. They said the statistics show chemo is best before the RC. I’ve been looking at the combinations used for muscle invasive. Also, I have you in my prayers everyday, Tanya. Have you chosen a neobladder for after surgery?

Your husband is very lucky for how fast everything has gone for him. I waited 3 weeks for my pathology results. For me everything started Oct. 27th and I had TURBT surgery on December 20th, then pathology results on January 9th. I received a surgery date on January 30th, for February 19th. The tumor has grown outside my bladder wall within a month but thankfully hasn't spread to other organs as of yet. I have only seen the oncologist once on January 29th but I am not interested in waiting to remove my bladder for chemo or radiation as I said before that even the urologist says I need it out first and then immunotherapy afterwards. I spoke on the phone with the surgeon's assistant for about 10 minutes and he seemed very focused on just giving me the surgury to leave me with a pee bag even though I am very adamant I want a neobladder if my urethra tubes are not affected. Basically I will see what I have after I wake up from surgery but I am sad to think they just prefer the easier way for them.

Many surgeons do not even perform neobladder surgeries. The surgery is very complex so you'll want to seek out the best in your area, if you're interested in it.

Hi there, I'm new to the group. I was DX in January and had TURBT done Feb 26, 2025 at Mayo and mitomycin treatement at same time. Low grade, low risk Ta. I did not know about the DNA tests until just yesterday and I'm assuming it would be too late now to request they do this since they've already done the pathology? Do you get cystos at all anymore or just bloodwork? Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi @codyboo I was diagnosed 11/2021 with high grade bladder cancer, and did my 3 years of BCG treatments and tons of cysto's. I will be having my cysto check next month. As far as I understand, the cysto's are semi-annual for the first 5 years and then if I stay negative they go to annually for the rest of my life. Sigh,,, damn cigarettes!!! I smoked for 33 years, but by the grace of God I will have 7 years free from nicotine this summer.

Hi @talltxlady yes, I smoked for a very long time too and quit 14 years ago but then started e-cigs. I was also in the military and exposed to a lot of stuff. First had renal cell carcinoma in 2005 found by accident in a CT scan. Tumor on top of left kidney which Shands removed. At that time they were stumped why I got it with no family history of any kidney issues. Now they all say it's all from smoking and my kidney cancer isn't related to my bladder cancer which I find very odd. Congrats on your 7 years nicotine free!!

Thank you for your service @codyboo May God bless and watch over you 🙏

Thank you 🙂
I just found out yesterday that I was treated with gemcitibine during my TURBT instead of mitomicin. And they may not do any chemo during my next cysto since I'm Low grade Ta. Thanking my lucky stars for that!