Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

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.