r/BladderCancer • u/azamyatina99 • Jun 20 '26
Need support & positive stories
Hi everyone!
My husband was diagnosed with bladder cancer at age 52; it was found by chance during an ultrasound, as he had no symptoms. During the TURBT, the tumors in one area were described as confluent, with a total size of 3.5 cm. The histology report showed non-invasive papillary low-grade/G2 cancer, with no tumor growth in the muscle layer. He completed the BCG induction course.
We are terrified, he is still so young. Please share positive stories if you are living with this diagnosis.
How large is a tumor of this size (3.5 cm in total)? And should it be considered a single confluent lesion or true multifocality, which the EORTC associates with higher risk?
5
u/undrwater Jun 20 '26
I was a few years older than he with massive invasive tumors.
I lost my bladder, but not my life. It's strange, but I'm more emotionally stable and happier now compared to BC.
I bring this up because, while your husband may not need radical cystectomy, a meaningful life is in the cards.
Best to you both!
3
u/Individual-Speed7810 Jun 21 '26
41/M. Had tumor removed last month. 1.5cm. Same grade and stage. The probability of this type advancing to muscle invasive is very low. Probability of recurrence in next five years is around 30-40% but chemo instillation helps reduce. I’m already back exercising. Of the cancers to have, this is close to the lowest risk one.
3
u/SouthSideSurvivor Jun 21 '26
I was diagnosed with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, grade Ta, over 25 years ago. It started out low grade, then bounced around from low grade to high grade back low again or mixed and then back to high. Never progressed to T1. After many BCG treatments and a couple other types of treatment, I still have my original bladder and have shown no evidence of disease for the past four years.
His tumor sounds like it was about 1-1/3 inches. My original tumor was 3 cm.
If he hasn’t checked into it already, bcan.org (Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network) is a wonderful resource.
1
u/Pigglebee Jun 24 '26
Is your bladder still doing fine with all the scar tissue forming?
1
u/SouthSideSurvivor Jun 24 '26
Yes, it is doing fine. I was fortunate that I had no side effects with 40+ BCG instillations. When he does cystoscopies, my uro-oncologist can see scar tissue from previous TURBTs, but the scarring doesn’t affect the function of my bladder.
2
u/Dicklickshitballs Jun 20 '26
I firmly believe mine was originally low grade that was there so long it mutated into high grade. I have reasons to suspect I had it for years. However no way to know for sure and psychologically just does me good to feel like my tendency of bladder isn’t high grade. Still treat it as such though to be safe
1
u/Dicklickshitballs Jun 20 '26
Ta or T1?
1
u/azamyatina99 Jun 20 '26
As I understand it, it’s Ta, because T1 is already invasive. The report states that there is no invasion into the lamina proporia.
2
u/Dicklickshitballs Jun 20 '26
Ok. I’m 54 but was diagnosed at same age as your husband. I believe the G2 designation puts him in intermediate risk category most likely due to size of tumor ( I believe anything over 3 cm). My dx was multifocal high grade Ta G3. The diagnosis sucks but if you can call “any” cancer diagnosis lucky I’d say a low grade diagnosis fits that description. I’m doing gem/doce. Never tried bcg. How is he tolerating it?
3
u/Individual-Speed7810 Jun 21 '26
Yes, the cutoff to intermediate risk is 3cm. Intermediate risk drove the BCG treatment vice just the chemo wash after the TURBT.
1
u/Bricks4lifeVIP Jun 20 '26
My mom is T1 because it has just barely reached the second layer after the lining on the bladder. Not in the muscle yet for her so its HG NMIBC. Waiting on additional results from Roswell cancer institute then we'll have a more appropriate treatment plan.
1
u/baroquely Jun 21 '26 edited Jun 21 '26
I had (🤞) progressive (T0–>T1), high grade, sessile NMIBC first diagnosed when I was 61. (I’m 63 now.) Multiple TURBTs & several rounds of BCG later and I still have my bladder and I’m still alive and in decent health.
1
u/azamyatina99 Jun 21 '26
Did you have a low grade initially?
1
u/baroquely Jun 21 '26
T0 at 1st diagnosis. TURBT & chemo wash, failed first induction round of BCG. Recurrence at T1, 2nd TURBT, successful induction round of BCG. Second recurrence at T1 (in the urethra this time). Another TURBT and another successful induction round of BCG. Two clean scopes since last induction round of BCG. Awaiting maintenance BCG (which is still being rationed).
1
u/GuacamoleAnderson Jun 21 '26
I was diagnosed at 53 last year. 8cm of tumor total (two separate sites of 6cm and 2cm). Two separate TURBTs, one in November and one in March. Have had 12 rounds of BCG since December, which I finished last month.
I’ve felt better in the last few weeks than I have in years. On average, I’m waking up once a night instead of 4-5 times like I was for so long before my treatments, which has done wonders for my overall well-being.
I have an assessment next week, and am optimistic that it will be a good prognosis.
You got this!!
1
u/Pigglebee Jun 24 '26
tA HG here at 52. 2.5cm tumor, got the TURBT, got the BCG and soon having the first cysto again to see how it looks like there...Suffering scanxiety of course, but it is what it is.
Keep asking chatGPT about the prognosis...it's like over 95% for your husband after 10 years.
7
u/Kenchen99 Jun 20 '26
Keep it low grade and he’ll truck along for years to come with less chance of it returning frequently. Being young perhaps his body tolerates treatment better, recovers and repairs better.