Recurrent Bladder Cancer (NMIBC)

Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer among men and the ninth most common among women in the United States1. It most often occurs in older people: nearly 90% of patients are over age 552.

Cancer that begins and stays in the cells lining the bladder without growing into the deeper, main muscle layer of the bladder is referred to as noninvasive or non-muscle invasive bladder cancer2. The majority of people (approximately 75%) diagnosed with bladder cancer are diagnosed with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer1.

The National Cancer Institute defines recurrent bladder cancer as cancer that has recurred or come back after it has been treated, usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected3. Although treatment is aimed at getting rid of all cancer cells, a few cancerous cells may survive. These undetected cancer cells multiply, becoming recurrent bladder cancer4. Even in survivors who are treated according to practice guidelines, bladder cancer often recurs. Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer has a 50 to 90% probability of recurrence5.

Recurrence can be local, meaning the tumor recurs in or near the original tumor or cancer site. Recurrent bladder cancer can also be distant, where the cancer has spread to adjacent organs or even distant organs in the body. Non-muscle invasive bladder cancers commonly recur locally in the bladder2.



If you think you may suffer from bladder cancer, you should talk to your healthcare professional.

References

  1. 1.AUA Guideline for the Management of Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer, 2007, p. 1-51. Accessed on April 26, 2010 http://www.auanet.org/content/guidelines-and-quality-care/clinical-guidelines/main-reports/bladcan07/chapter1.pdf
  2. 2.American Cancer Society: All About Bladder Cancer Detailed Guide, p. 1 – 49. Accessed on April 26, 2010 http://documents.cancer.org/126.00/126.00.pdf.
  3. 3.National Cancer Institute, Cancer Topics, Bladder Cancer Treatment PDQ. Accessed on April 26, 2010 http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/bladder/patient/allpages.
  4. 4.American Cancer Society, When Your Cancer Comes Back: Cancer Recurrence. Accessed on April 26, 2010 http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MLT/content/MLT_4_1x_When_Your_Cancer_Comes_Back_-_Cancer_Recurrence.asp.
  5. 5.National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines in Oncology, Bladder Cancer Including Upper Tract Tumors and Urothelial Carcinoma of the Prostate, 2010, p. 1-46.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

The following groups are dedicated to the education and assistance of patients that suffer from bladder cancer. Find out more about chronic pain by visiting these websites:

 

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