What happens when bladder cancer spreads to muscle after TURBT?

When bladder cancer progresses to muscle-invasive disease, it often does require more aggressive treatment approaches, and many community members have faced similar difficult decisions about treatment options. This news can feel overwhelming, especially when major treatment changes are being discussed. Taking time to fully understand all available options and getting second opinions can help provide clarity during treatment planning. Many find it helpful to prepare questions ahead of appointments and consider bringing a support person to important discussions. The community here understands these challenging moments and is here to offer support as treatment decisions are made.

I'm stage Ta3 mibc, went through chemo to shrink tumor, with bladder removal surgery upcoming. You have to realize once bladder is removed so is the cancer. It is life threatening to keep a cancerous bladder. Have 2 options, keep bladder and have lifelong chemo, or remove bladder. I chose to have bladder surgery to remove it. If you decide removal, check the 3 urinary diversion options. Neo bladder and Indiana pouch require permanent self catherization. The ileal conduit requires 3-5 day interval of changing pouch. You can view your options on YouTube, as they go into detail on each. Good luck on your journey and may God be with you.

I also had muscle invasive bladder cancer and surgeon recommended bladder removal but I decided that with my age (78) and not wanting to deal with the life changing surgery not to have it done. I received chemotherapy which shrank the tumor and TURBT surgery to remove tumor. I now get immunotherapy every four weeks for 8 months. Also get CT scans and cystoscopy procedure every 3 months to look for any more tumors. It’s been almost a year and I feel great. I am happy with my decision. I was born with a bladder and will die with it. But it’s a decision that everyone has to make on their own. Don’t let the doctors scare you into a decision you may regret.

I had muscle invasive bladder cancer. Standard of care was removal. I looked at urostomy bag, Colorado pouch, and orthotopic neobladder. Chose neobladder and had surgery in January 2024 after 6 rounds of chemo. Decision has a lot to do with your age and lifestyle

No brainer in my mind. Have it removed. I regret not having mine removed sooner. We tried bladder-sparing BCG treatments, and in that time it spread outside bladder. I’m year 10 post RC w/neo bladder w/ metastatic disease. Alive mostly thanks to pembro and the grace of God.

While taking new therapy, I'm preparing my mind and body to accept removal as the treatment with best solution possible.

I’m having my bladder removed May 5th. My whole life is going to change. I’m severely depressed and although I would never do anything I don’t care if I live or die

Margaret, I’m so sorry you are going through this. As you read in my previous posts the surgeon wanted to remove my bladder also but because I was 76 at the time and also knowing that I also would become depressed I elected not to have it done. I am not recommending that you do the same. I have had BCG treatments and get immunotherapy every 4 weeks and it has been almost a year since my decision and there has not been a relapse of the cancer but I realize that I am living on borrowed time and it’s only a matter of time before it comes back. I don’t know your age but if I was younger I may have had the surgery. I think anyone who is facing this surgery is going to be depressed but I think the majority of people do find a way to cope afterwards and find peace. May God be with you on your journey.