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Bladder Cancer

Ewan
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A few weeks ago my dad had a small amount of blood in urine on one occasion so went to doctor and got a CT scan which showed a lump in his bladder. He went for surgery today to have the lump removed however the surgeon found the lump harder and couldn't remove it all. He found it was invasive into the muscle and believes my dad will probably need further major surgery to remove some or all of bladder. They say he will need further CT scan to assess if it has spread to chest area. And it will now take about 2 weeks to get pathology results back. 

All of this has come as quite a shock as he is extremely fit and healthy and only experience blood in his urine once and hasn't had any other issues. 

I would appreciate any further detail on how to understand and what to expect in the next few weeks and months and what the various outcomes could be? And if there are any resources you can refer me to to better understand what we should be asking our doctors etc. 

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    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

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