Bladder Cancer

This year, an estimated 80,470 adults (61,700 men and 18,770 women) in the United States will be diagnosed with bladder cancer. Among men, bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer. Men are 4 times more likely than women to be diagnosed with the disease. In addition, incidence rates in white men are double those of black men.

Bladder cancer mostly affects older people. Ninety percent (90%) of people with bladder cancer are older than 55, and the average age people are diagnosed with bladder cancer is 73.

It is estimated that 17,670 deaths (12,870 men and 4,800 women) from this disease will occur this year. Among men, bladder cancer is the eighth most common cause of cancer death.

The 5-year survival rate tells you what percent of people live at least 5 years after the cancer is found. Percent means how many out of 100. The general 5-year survival rate for people with bladder cancer is 77%. The overall 10-year survival rate is 70% and the overall 15-year survival rate is 65%.

However, survival rates depend on many factors, including the type and stage of bladder cancer that is diagnosed. The 5-year survival rate of people with bladder cancer that has not spread beyond the inner layer of the bladder wall is 95%. About half of people are diagnosed with this stage.

If the tumor is invasive but has not yet spread outside the bladder, the 5-year survival rate is 69%. If the cancer extends through the bladder to the surrounding tissue or has spread to nearby lymph nodes or organs, the 5-year survival rate is 35%. If the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, the 5-year survival rate is 5%. About 4% of people are diagnosed with this stage.

Source of the following information: www.cancer.net