Bladder Cancer Prognosis: Impact of Stage
The stage of
bladder cancer plays a role in the bladder cancer prognosis. Based on historical data:
- 75 percent of urinary bladder cancer cases are diagnosed while the cancer is still confined to the primary site (localized stage)
- 19 percent of urinary bladder cancer cases are diagnosed after the cancer has spread to regional lymph nodes or directly beyond the primary site
- 3 percent of urinary bladder cases are diagnosed after the cancer has already metastasized (distant stage)
- 3 percent of urinary bladder cases had staging information that was unknown.
- 94.2 percent for localized
- 48.4 percent for regional
- 6.2 percent for distant
- 61.1 percent for unstaged.
Bladder Cancer Prognosis: Summary
Cancer patients and their loved ones face many unknowns. Some people find that it easier to cope when they know the statistics, while other people find statistical information confusing and frightening, and they think it is too impersonal to be of use to them. The doctor who is most familiar with a patient's situation is in the best position to discuss the bladder cancer prognosis and to explain what the statistics of bladder cancer may mean for that person. At the same time, it is important to understand that even the doctor cannot tell exactly what to expect. In fact, a person's prognosis may change if the cancer progresses, or if treatment is successful. Seeking information about the bladder cancer prognosis is a personal decision and it is up to each patient to decide how much information he or she wants to know and how to deal with it.