Prognosis of Bladder Cancer


The prognosis of a person who has been diagnosed with bladder cancer depends to a large extent on two factors - the stage at which the tumor has been detected and the grade of the tumor. Other factors which determine the extent of the disease are the size of the tumor, the pattern of recurrence, and how the cancer responds to the treatment at the beginning.

In cases of low risk superficial bladder cancer the chances of recurrence are approximately 15% and 30% in one and five years respectively. Regular follow-ups are required and the tumors, if they do recur, occur in the same grade and stage as the previous tumor.

High risk superficial tumors are those of a high grade. Large tumors and multiple tumors are at a higher risk of progression and have a 60% and 78% chance of recurring after one and five year periods respectively. These tumors have the potential to spread to other parts of the body and require more aggressive treatment.

It is important to note that every individual patient is different and may have different outcomes from the ones mentioned above.