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

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.

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.

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.

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

@hmmm, I can imagine that it was hard to maintain a brave face over the holidays. Have you met with your team in the meantime to discuss the pathology results and next steps for treatment? How are you doing?

Stay strong. I was 54 yo in June when I found out I had muscle invasive bladder cancer. I did three months of chemo and my bladder was replaced with a neobladder in early November. I just started immunotherapy today. If you are otherwise healthy, I would suggest educating yourself about a neobladder to see if it is an option for you. I had never even heard of it!

Hi. I too am 51 and have invasive, aggressive bladder cancer. Only found out I had 4 tumors at the end of October and on December 20th had surgery to remove them. All were removed except for all of the 1 that was 7cm in size which was also growing into my bladder wall. I was told from the urologist that part or all of my bladder will need to be removed along with chemotherapy. Now I just wait for the pathology results. 🤷‍♀️ I see that your comment was posted earlier this year, can I please ask what has happened since your post?

Hi. I am new to this site. I am a 51 year old female. I just found out at the end of October that I have bladder cancer. After the CT scan I found out I had 4 aggressive tumors, with 1 being muscle invasive into my bladder wall which they believe to be, a high-grade invasive neuroendocrine tumor. I had surgery on December 20th where they were able to remove 3 tumors but the larger one was an incomplete resection because of its location in my bladder wall. After the surgery the urologist briefly spoke with me about the possibility that either part or all of my bladder may be removed along with chemotherapy. Now I just wait for the pathology results. Everything has just happened so fast and now all I can do is try to comprehend the possibility of living the rest of my live with part of a bladder or no bladder. I have a husband and children and don't want them to worry about this especially over the holidays. No idea what to expect.

Welcome @readkimberly2. So happy you found Mayo Connect.
Sending good thoughts your way for good results and healing. Please keep us posted. So happy you're getting in for your scope soon.

Hi @suka1 I am so sorry you've been diagnosed with aggressive BC. It's terribly shocking to hear the words bladder removal. Please go get a second opinion with a big hospital in your area. Not sure stage of your diagnosis or where you were diagnosed at? Urologist or big cancer hospital? But I would definitely seek a second opinion as soon as possible.