Going off my experience with Prostrate Cancer  which is now spreading , you have to go armed to the teeth with knowledge and the first prognosis or diagnosis is the most important as they did not give me the options i now know i should have been giving,  they usually form an asesment team for the course of treatment that will be given , be positive though as there are many kinds of the disease. I take it they did say the lump was malignant ?  my   guess is there may be more surgery and radio therapy or cehmo therapy , but there are also many other internal  , external  radio therapies and lot of others.

Hello, and thanks for your post,

I can understand that the news about your dad must have come to you as a shock particularly as you were not expecting it. 

All suspected cancer cases are discussed in a large formal meeting called an MDT (Multi disciplinary Team) meeting. They are awaiting the results from pathology to confirm a cancer diagnosis and the grade (how aggressive) and the stage of the cancer. This will enable them to work out what your dad's next steps are. If a cancer is confirmed they will then assess how fit he is and how he would cope with any treatment. 

At this meeting they will review any scans he has. Treatment is very individual and what works for one person may not necessarily work for another.

We have some information  on treatment decisions for bladder cancer

It really is a case of waiting for this meeting and finding out what they think would be best for your dad. They will take your dad's opinion in to account in working out how they decide to treat his bladder cancer if that is what they confirm he has. You dad may also be given a specialist nurse after the formal meeting who will hopefully be on hand to help process the information that your dad is given.

It can be helpful having another pair of ears listening to what the doctor has to say as there is often so much information to take on board.

If you or your dad would like to ring and discuss any of this with one of the nurses on the helpline then you are very welcome to do so. Our lines are open Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.

All the best,

Catherine