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

Of course! My oncologist and surgeon agreed that I should have chemo prior to the surgery. I think that was to see if the chemo could shrink the tumor and hopefully also damage any other cancer cells in lymph nodes or anywhere else they couldn't see. I had chemo for three months (July-Sept), took a month off for my body to recover some from it (Oct) and get another CT scan and then had the RC with a neobladder "installed" on 11/7. They could tell from the tissue that was removed that the chemo had worked. There was damage to that tissue.

I'm personally glad that I did it before the surgery. The surgery recovery is pretty long so I was glad I already had the chemo behind me and could just concentrate on healing instead of also having to look towards chemo. The chemo I had was cisplatin and gemcitabine. It wasn't easy, but I just tried to concentrate on getting through the chemo first and then deal with the surgery later. One day at a time.

Is your oncologist suggesting chemo first?

Hello! I’m 59 and was diagnosed last year. I’m trying to understand it all. My Dr isn’t very communicative. He’s matter of fact, this is what needs to be done and then I move on until my next appointment. Ive had two turbts and had the 6 weeks of weekly chemo treatments, then my next visit, I was clear. But the next 3 month check, the tumors were back. They described it like weeds in a garden. I’m trying not to freak out and get ahead of myself but am trying to read what I can about a healthy lifestyle.

I also have a neobladder. I had the RC surgery on February 19th. How are you doing as far as incontinence? It has only been 2.5 months for me.

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.

I hope everything goes well for you. Please let me know how you do! I'll keep you in my prayers for the 21st!!

Hi Jo. Thank you so much for your response and sharing your experience . I have seen many consultants and many have recommended to have chemo (cisplatin and gemcitabine) before surgery. The cancer was found on September 2024. I have decided to to go ahead with the RC wile I’m feeling strong and after the pathology report I may consider the adjuvant chemotherapy.

I can only hope I am making the right choice . Surgery will be 21st of May .

Best ,

Lesley

Hi Tanya.

That's very helpful information. I too will also have my uterus removed along with some other organs. I don't have the option for a Neo bladder (something about colitis in my colon) and the aggressive type of bladder cancer I have.

Can I ask how long was your stay in hospital and did you have good pain meds?

You sound like you are doing very well in your recovery.
Best,

Lesley

I was 51 when diagnosed with bladder cancer last November. I had 4 tumors where 3 were removed on December 20th during TURBT surgery but I still had one that had already grown into my bladder wall, which eventually ended growing outside my bladder wall. Anyways, I did not have any chemo or radiation prior to the RC because the type of bladder cancer I had didn't respond to either of those. So February 19th I had surgery and now have a neobladder. Luckily I didn't have to wait any longer as the tumor was growing very fast and ended up being 12cm. They also removed my uterus and 24 lymph nodes which only 1 was positive. I had a catheter in for 4 weeks, it was removed on March 20th. You have a voiding schedule to keep up with afterwards as you have to train your new bladder and alot of work to tighten your pelvic floor muscles, but in the end I am glad I went this route rather than with a Stoma. I started immunotherapy on April 3rd for 1 year as the cancer was high-grade/ aggressive, so hopefully no new cancer cells decide to form.