Bladder Cancer

The long-term survival rate for patients with bladder cancer largely depends on whether it has grown into the muscle wall, lymph nodes, or other areas of the body. Early-stage bladder cancer, which has not invaded the muscle wall, has the highest five-year survival rate at 72%. About 40% of patients with regional bladder cancer survive for five years after diagnosis. This drop is caused by cancer cells advancing to nearby structures, such as the bladder wall or lymph nodes. Less than 10% of patients survive more than five years when the cancer is diagnosed at stage IV, also called distant cancer. 

It’s important to remember that survival rates are averages, and they may have improved since the American Cancer Society reported this data ranging from 2014-2020. This is in large part because of new treatments made available through clinical research. Your oncologist will talk with you about the stage and grade which is the basis of your treatment plan. Your age and overall health condition also play a role in your outlook.

When bladder cancer is found at an early stage, or the cancer is slow growing (low-grade), bladder sparing treatment may be an option. Surgery, called a transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), will still be a part of the overall treatment plan. This procedure removes only the tumor, followed by immunotherapy or chemotherapy administered inside the bladder. 

For patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, removing the bladder often gives the best chance of cure. It’s also recommended for high-risk patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer that keeps coming back or doesn’t respond to treatments. This procedure is called a cystectomy.

The surgeon will then find a way for urine to leave the body whether it’s through an external bag, or an internal pouch created near the belly button, called an Indiana pouch.

Even after the bladder is surgically removed, it can sometimes return. This may happen if cancer cells had already spread microscopically before surgery, traveling to nearby lymph nodes, tissues, or even the bloodstream without being detected when testing the lymph nodes. These hidden cells can remain dormant during treatment and later grow into new tumors.

Bladder cancer cells can also develop in other parts of the urinary tract, such as the kidneys, ureters, or urethra, since these areas are lined with the same type of urothelial cells where the cancer typically begins. In some cases, it may come back near the surgical site in the pelvis or spread to distant organs like the lungs, liver, or bones. If these microscopic changes weren’t detectable during surgery, they may show up later.

There are several ways your oncologist will monitor you after treatment to see if it was effective, or if the cancer is still growing. They will use a combination of scans and blood tests. One of the blood tests recently made available can even identify some metastases that can’t be seen on a scan. This is the Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) test. It looks for tiny fragments of tumor DNA that cancer cells release into the bloodstream. 

If ctDNA is still present or begins to rise again, it may indicate that microscopic cancer remains, even before a PET scan will show it or symptoms appear. This approach is especially promising in bladder cancer, where research shows ctDNA can sometimes detect recurrence months earlier than imaging. Ongoing clinical trials are exploring how best to use ctDNA in treatment planning and monitoring the patient’s response to treatment.

For over 30 years, Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers (RMCC) has been a trusted leader in delivering world-class cancer care across Colorado. Our genitourinary medical oncologists specialize in caring for patients with bladder cancer. Patients who need radiation therapy can also receive it from the radiation oncologists at RMCC, often in the same facility where they receive their other treatments. Our specialists work closely with you and your urologist, who may also be your surgeon, to create a plan that addresses your diagnosis, goals, and quality of life.

Our physicians are dedicated to identifying new and better ways to treat cancer, offering care that is innovative, evidence-based, and personalized for each patient. They are also committed to participating in clinical research trials, bringing the most innovative treatments to our patients here in Colorado.

The cost of treatment varies based on your diagnosis, insurance coverage, and treatment plan. Our financial counselors will walk you through your insurance benefits and provide a clear picture of what will be covered, along with any out-of-pocket expenses.

Choosing a cancer center like RMCC can significantly reduce your treatment costs. In fact, the Community Oncology Alliance reports that care provided at independent oncology practices such as RMCC can cost up to 50% less than treatment received at hospital-affiliated outpatient departments.

Lower cost doesn’t mean lower quality. RMCC delivers the same advanced treatments, technologies, and personalized care you’d find in a hospital setting—often at a more affordable price and closer to home. RMCC cares for more cancer patients in Colorado than any other practice.