CHAPTER 1:
Introduction
Chapter 1 of Bladder Cancer: A Patient-Friendly Guide to Understanding Your Diagnosis and Treatment Options discusses how the book is written and organized to inform patients about the diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer. This chapter includes an overview of topics covered in the book’s 14 chapters and 4 appendixes.
READ CHAPTER 1 BELOW
CHAPTER 1:
Introduction
Chapter 1 of Bladder Cancer: A Patient-Friendly Guide to Understanding Your Diagnosis and Treatment Options discusses how the book is written and organized to inform patients about the diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer. This chapter includes an overview of topics covered in the book’s 14 chapters and 4 appendixes.
READ CHAPTER 1 BELOW
CHAPTER 1:
Introduction
Chapter 1 of Bladder Cancer: A Patient-Friendly Guide to Understanding Your Diagnosis and Treatment Options discusses how the book is written and organized to inform patients about the diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer. This chapter includes an overview of topics covered in the book’s 14 chapters and 4 appendixes.
READ CHAPTER 1 BELOW
When you first learn you have bladder cancer, you most likely feel frightened, uninformed, and unprepared to deal with the disease. You hear only the word cancer and nothing else. Your first thought may be that the disease is fatal and your days are numbered. Many scenarios and questions start running through your mind: How long will I live? Was the cancer caught in time? Can I be cured? What treatments will I need, and how will they affect my work and family life? What can I do to make sure I get the best possible cancer care and treatment outcomes?
To grapple with these questions, you need to understand your diagnosis and treatment options, and how your cancer and its treatment will affect you and your family. You need your doctor to explain in clear language the facts about your medical condition and discuss your treatment options. You also need the support of family and friends to help gather and absorb this information and formulate questions. Only by gaining an understanding of your disease can you become an active partner with your health care providers and participate in making decisions about your cancer treatment and care.
When you first learn you have bladder cancer, you most likely feel frightened, uninformed, and unprepared to deal with the disease. You hear only the word cancer and nothing else. Your first thought may be that the disease is fatal and your days are numbered. Many scenarios and questions start running through your mind: How long will I live? Was the cancer caught in time? Can I be cured? What treatments will I need, and how will they affect my work and family life? What can I do to make sure I get the best possible cancer care and treatment outcomes?
To grapple with these questions, you need to understand your diagnosis and treatment options, and how your cancer and its treatment will affect you and your family. You need your doctor to explain in clear language the facts about your medical condition and discuss your treatment options. You also need the support of family and friends to help gather and absorb this information and formulate questions. Only by gaining an understanding of your disease can you become an active partner with your health care providers and participate in making decisions about your cancer treatment and care.
When you first learn you have bladder cancer, you most likely feel frightened, uninformed, and unprepared to deal with the disease. You hear only the word cancer and nothing else. Your first thought may be that the disease is fatal and your days are numbered. Many scenarios and questions start running through your mind: How long will I live? Was the cancer caught in time? Can I be cured? What treatments will I need, and how will they affect my work and family life? What can I do to make sure I get the best possible cancer care and treatment outcomes?
To grapple with these questions, you need to understand your diagnosis and treatment options, and how your cancer and its treatment will affect you and your family. You need your doctor to explain in clear language the facts about your medical condition and discuss your treatment options. You also need the support of family and friends to help gather and absorb this information and formulate questions. Only by gaining an understanding of your disease can you become an active partner with your health care providers and participate in making decisions about your cancer treatment and care.
THE MISSION OF THIS BOOK
THE MISSION OF THIS BOOK
THE MISSION OF THIS BOOK
The mission of this book is to educate patients about bladder cancer so they can understand their diagnosis and make informed decisions regarding their treatment and care.
The mission of this book is to educate patients about bladder cancer so they can understand their diagnosis and make informed decisions regarding their treatment and care.
The mission of this book is to educate patients about bladder cancer so they can understand their diagnosis and make informed decisions regarding their treatment and care.
Fortunately, the majority of patients diagnosed with bladder cancer have a highly treatable form of the disease that, with proper medical management, is usually not life threatening. However, about 25% of patients are diagnosed with more advanced stages of bladder cancer, requiring them to undergo complex therapies that are potentially life changing. Regardless of the challenges you and your loved ones encounter during your cancer journey, taking a proactive role in your care will increase the likelihood of getting the best possible outcomes for your disease.
Fortunately, the majority of patients diagnosed with bladder cancer have a highly treatable form of the disease that, with proper medical management, is usually not life threatening. However, about 25% of patients are diagnosed with more advanced stages of bladder cancer, requiring them to undergo complex therapies that are potentially life changing. Regardless of the challenges you and your loved ones encounter during your cancer journey, taking a proactive role in your care will increase the likelihood of getting the best possible outcomes for your disease.
Fortunately, the majority of patients diagnosed with bladder cancer have a highly treatable form of the disease that, with proper medical management, is usually not life threatening. However, about 25% of patients are diagnosed with more advanced stages of bladder cancer, requiring them to undergo complex therapies that are potentially life changing. Regardless of the challenges you and your loved ones encounter during your cancer journey, taking a proactive role in your care will increase the likelihood of getting the best possible outcomes for your disease.
BLADDER CANCER STATISTICS FOR THE U.S.
BLADDER CANCER STATISTICS FOR THE U.S.
BLADDER CANCER STATISTICS FOR THE U.S.
Bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the United States, with more than 696,000 men and women living with a history of the disease. About 90% of people diagnosed with bladder cancer are age 55 years and older, and the average age at the time of diagnosis is 73. The incidence of bladder cancer is about 4 times higher in men than in women. In men, bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the ninth most common cause of cancer death. In women, bladder cancer is the twelfth most common cancer and the fifteenth most common cause of cancer death. The American Cancer Society estimated there would be about 79,030 new cases of bladder cancer (60,490 in men and 18,540 in women) and about 16,870 deaths from bladder cancer (12,240 in men and 4,630 in women) in the United States in 2017. Despite the prevalence of bladder cancer, there is a relative lack of public awareness about this disease compared to other common cancers such as breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer.
Bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the United States, with more than 696,000 men and women living with a history of the disease. About 90% of people diagnosed with bladder cancer are age 55 years and older, and the average age at the time of diagnosis is 73. The incidence of bladder cancer is about 4 times higher in men than in women. In men, bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the ninth most common cause of cancer death. In women, bladder cancer is the twelfth most common cancer and the fifteenth most common cause of cancer death. The American Cancer Society estimated there would be about 79,030 new cases of bladder cancer (60,490 in men and 18,540 in women) and about 16,870 deaths from bladder cancer (12,240 in men and 4,630 in women) in the United States in 2017. Despite the prevalence of bladder cancer, there is a relative lack of public awareness about this disease compared to other common cancers such as breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer.
Bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the United States, with more than 696,000 men and women living with a history of the disease. About 90% of people diagnosed with bladder cancer are age 55 years and older, and the average age at the time of diagnosis is 73. The incidence of bladder cancer is about 4 times higher in men than in women. In men, bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the ninth most common cause of cancer death. In women, bladder cancer is the twelfth most common cancer and the fifteenth most common cause of cancer death. The American Cancer Society estimated there would be about 79,030 new cases of bladder cancer (60,490 in men and 18,540 in women) and about 16,870 deaths from bladder cancer (12,240 in men and 4,630 in women) in the United States in 2017. Despite the prevalence of bladder cancer, there is a relative lack of public awareness about this disease compared to other common cancers such as breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer.
What You Will Learn from This Book
This book is a patients’ guide to understanding and living with bladder cancer. It is written for the benefit of people who are diagnosed with this disease and for the friends and loved ones who want to support them on their cancer journey. The book is intended to be a useful guide from the moment you are diagnosed with bladder cancer. Because the book is designed to be patient-friendly, it is written in plain and simple language. All medical terminology and concepts are translated into vocabulary that can be easily understood by the general reader.
Becoming an educated, proactive patient will enable you to make informed decisions about your treatment and care and, as a result, optimize your chance of getting the best possible outcomes for your disease. With these goals in mind, this book provides information, tools, and resources that will help you select the right doctors, understand your diagnosis and treatment options, partner with your medical team, and be your own advocate throughout your cancer journey.
This book is organized into 6 parts, consisting of 14 chapters and 4 appendixes. We recommend you first read Part 1 (chapters 1–5), which provides information all patients with bladder cancer need to know. Part 1 includes information on becoming a proactive patient, the anatomy and functions of the urinary system, how bladder cancer is diagnosed, and what you need to know to understand
your diagnosis.
The next step is to read the chapter or chapters that discuss the treatment options for your specific diagnosis. Part 2 (chapter 6) discusses the treatments
for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Part 3 (chapters 7–12) discusses the treatments for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Part 4 (chapter 13) discusses the treatments for metastatic bladder cancer.
Part 5 (chapter 14) discusses challenges facing bladder cancer survivors — particularly when transitioning from active treatment to follow-up care. Finally, Part 6 consists of 4 appendixes, including a glossary and list of additional resources.
What You Will Learn from This Book
This book is a patients’ guide to understanding and living with bladder cancer. It is written for the benefit of people who are diagnosed with this disease and for the friends and loved ones who want to support them on their cancer journey. The book is intended to be a useful guide from the moment you are diagnosed with bladder cancer. Because the book is designed to be patient-friendly, it is written in plain and simple language. All medical terminology and concepts are translated into vocabulary that can be easily understood by the general reader.
Becoming an educated, proactive patient will enable you to make informed decisions about your treatment and care and, as a result, optimize your chance of getting the best possible outcomes for your disease. With these goals in mind, this book provides information, tools, and resources that will help you select the right doctors, understand your diagnosis and treatment options, partner with your medical team, and be your own advocate throughout your cancer journey.
This book is organized into 6 parts, consisting of 14 chapters and 4 appendixes. We recommend you first read Part 1 (chapters 1–5), which provides information all patients with bladder cancer need to know. Part 1 includes information on becoming a proactive patient, the anatomy and functions of the urinary system, how bladder cancer is diagnosed, and what you need to know to understand your diagnosis.
The next step is to read the chapter or chapters that discuss the treatment options for your specific diagnosis. Part 2 (chapter 6) discusses the treatments for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Part 3 (chapters 7–12) discusses the treatments for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Part 4 (chapter 13) discusses the treatments for metastatic bladder cancer.
Part 5 (chapter 14) discusses challenges facing bladder cancer survivors — particularly when transitioning from active treatment to follow-up care. Finally, Part 6 consists of 4 appendixes, including a glossary and list of additional resources.
What You Will Learn
from This Book
This book is a patients’ guide to understanding and living with bladder cancer. It is written for the benefit of people who are diagnosed with this disease and for the friends and loved ones who want to support them on their cancer journey. The book is intended to be a useful guide from the moment you are diagnosed with bladder cancer. Because the book is designed to be patient-friendly, it is written in plain and simple language. All medical terminology and concepts are translated into vocabulary that can be easily understood by the general reader.
Becoming an educated, proactive patient will enable you to make informed decisions about your treatment and care and, as a result, optimize your chance of getting the best possible outcomes for your disease. With these goals in mind, this book provides information, tools, and resources that will help you select the right doctors, understand your diagnosis and treatment options, partner with your medical team, and be your own advocate throughout your cancer journey.
This book is organized into 6 parts, consisting of 14 chapters and 4 appendixes. We recommend you first read Part 1 (chapters 1–5), which provides information all patients with bladder cancer need to know. Part 1 includes information on becoming a proactive patient, the anatomy and functions of the urinary system, how bladder cancer is diagnosed, and what you need to know to understandyour diagnosis.
The next step is to read the chapter or chapters that discuss the treatment options for your specific diagnosis. Part 2 (chapter 6) discusses the treatments for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Part 3 (chapters 7–12) discusses the treatments for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Part 4 (chapter 13) discusses the treatments for metastatic bladder cancer.
Part 5 (chapter 14) discusses challenges facing bladder cancer survivors — particularly when transitioning from active treatment to follow-up care. Finally, Part 6 consists of 4 appendixes, including a glossary and list of additional resources.
The following is an overview of the topics covered in this book:
PART 1 • WHAT ALL PATIENTS NEED TO KNOW
Chapter 1 — Introduction (this chapter).
Chapter 2 — How to Become a Proactive Patient discusses how to take an active role in your cancer care and be your own advocate. Taking control of your medical care is key to getting the best possible outcomes for your disease.
Chapter 3 — An Introduction to the Urinary System describes the anatomy and functions of the urinary system. It is a geography lesson on the parts of the body that you need to know about as you read this book.
Chapter 4 — Diagnosing Bladder Cancer: Procedures and Tests describes the diagnostic tools used to diagnose bladder cancer.
Chapter 5 — Understanding Your Bladder Cancer Diagnosis discusses the information you need to know to understand your diagnosis, including the stages and grades of bladder cancer. Getting a complete and accurate diagnosis is a prerequisite for determining your treatment options.
PART 2 • TREATMENTS FOR NON-MUSCLE-INVASIVE
BLADDER CANCER
Chapter 6 — Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer discusses the different stages and grades of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer and its treatment.
PART 3 • TREATMENTS FOR MUSCLE-INVASIVE BLADDER CANCER
Chapter 7 — Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer discusses the stages and grade of muscle-invasive bladder cancer and includes an overview of its treatment. The different treatment options for muscle-invasive bladder cancer are discussed at length in chapters 8–12.
Chapter 8 — The Decision to Have a Radical Cystectomy discusses factors you need to consider when deciding if a radical cystectomy is right for you. A radical cystectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the bladder and reconstructs the lower urinary tract to create a way for urine to be eliminated from the body after the bladder is removed. A radical cystectomy is considered the “gold standard” treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Chapter 9 — Undergoing a Radical Cystectomy discusses how to prepare for a radical cystectomy, what is involved in the surgical procedure, and what you will learn from your postoperative pathology report.
Chapter 10 — Choosing a Urinary Tract Reconstruction discusses the different types of urinary tract reconstructions for patients undergoing a radical cystectomy, and what you need to know to decide which type of urinary tract reconstruction is best for you.
Chapter 11 — Recovery After a Radical Cystectomy discusses recovery from a radical cystectomy during your postoperative hospital stay and after you leave the hospital to continue your recovery and resume your normal daily activities.
Chapter 12 — Bladder Preservation Therapy discusses a possible alternative to a radical cystectomy for selected patients. Bladder preservation therapy — also called bladder-sparing therapy or trimodality therapy (TMT) — treats bladder cancer without removing the bladder.
PART 4 • TREATMENTS FOR METASTATIC BLADDER CANCER
Chapter 13 — Metastatic Bladder Cancer discusses the treatment of bladder cancer that has spread outside the bladder to the lymph nodes and/or distant parts of the body. The primary treatment for metastatic bladder cancer is systemic chemotherapy.
PART 5 • SURVIVORSHIP
Chapter 14 — Bladder Cancer Survivorship discusses the transition from active treatment to follow-up care, including what should be included in a survivorship care plan.
PART 6 • APPENDIXES
Appendix A — Bladder Cancer Risk Factors discusses the factors that increase the risk of developing bladder cancer.
Appendix B — Bladder Cancer Health Care Professionals is a list of the different health care professionals and the roles they play in caring for patients with bladder cancer.
Appendix C — Bladder Cancer Resources is a list of organizations and websites that offer educational materials, support, and advocacy for people diagnosed with bladder cancer and their families and friends.
Appendix D — Glossary of Bladder Cancer Terms translates complex medical terms into easy-to-understand language.
The following is an overview of the topics covered in this book:
PART 1 • WHAT ALL PATIENTS NEED TO KNOW
Chapter 1 — Introduction (this chapter).
Chapter 2 — How to Become a Proactive Patient discusses how to take an active role in your cancer care and be your own advocate. Taking control of your medical care is key to getting the best possible outcomes for your disease.
Chapter 3 — An Introduction to the Urinary System describes the anatomy and functions of the urinary system. It is a geography lesson on the parts of the body that you need to know about as you read this book.
Chapter 4 — Diagnosing Bladder Cancer: Procedures and Tests describes the diagnostic tools used to diagnose bladder cancer.
Chapter 5 — Understanding Your Bladder Cancer Diagnosis discusses the information you need to know to understand your diagnosis, including the stages and grades of bladder cancer. Getting a complete and accurate diagnosis is a prerequisite for determining your treatment options.
PART 2 • TREATMENTS FOR NON-MUSCLE-INVASIVE
BLADDER CANCER
Chapter 6 — Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer discusses the different stages and grades of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer and its treatment.
PART 3 • TREATMENTS FOR MUSCLE-INVASIVE BLADDER CANCER
Chapter 7 — Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer discusses the stages and grade of muscle-invasive bladder cancer and includes an overview of its treatment. The different treatment options for muscle-invasive bladder cancer are discussed at length in chapters 8–12.
Chapter 8 — The Decision to Have a Radical Cystectomy discusses factors you need to consider when deciding if a radical cystectomy is right for you. A radical cystectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the bladder and reconstructs the lower urinary tract to create a way for urine to be eliminated from the body after the bladder is removed. A radical cystectomy is considered the “gold standard” treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Chapter 9 — Undergoing a Radical Cystectomy discusses how to prepare for a radical cystectomy, what is involved in the surgical procedure, and what you will learn from your postoperative pathology report.
Chapter 10 — Choosing a Urinary Tract Reconstruction discusses the different types of urinary tract reconstructions for patients undergoing a radical cystectomy, and what you need to know to decide which type of urinary tract reconstruction is best for you.
Chapter 11 — Recovery After a Radical Cystectomy discusses recovery from a radical cystectomy during your postoperative hospital stay and after you leave the hospital to continue your recovery and resume your normal daily activities.
Chapter 12 — Bladder Preservation Therapy discusses a possible alternative to a radical cystectomy for selected patients. Bladder preservation therapy — also called bladder-sparing therapy or trimodality therapy (TMT) — treats bladder cancer without removing the bladder.
PART 4 • TREATMENTS FOR METASTATIC BLADDER CANCER
Chapter 13 — Metastatic Bladder Cancer discusses the treatment of bladder cancer that has spread outside the bladder to the lymph nodes and/or distant parts of the body. The primary treatment for metastatic bladder cancer is systemic chemotherapy.
PART 5 • SURVIVORSHIP
Chapter 14 — Bladder Cancer Survivorship discusses the transition from active treatment to follow-up care, including what should be included in a survivorship care plan.
PART 6 • APPENDIXES
Appendix A — Bladder Cancer Risk Factors discusses the factors that increase the risk of developing bladder cancer.
Appendix B — Bladder Cancer Health Care Professionals is a list of the different health care professionals and the roles they play in caring for patients with bladder cancer.
Appendix C — Bladder Cancer Resources is a list of organizations and websites that offer educational materials, support, and advocacy for people diagnosed with bladder cancer and their families and friends.
Appendix D — Glossary of Bladder Cancer Terms translates complex medical terms into easy-to-understand language.
The following is an overview of the topics covered in this book:
PART 1 • WHAT ALL PATIENTS NEED TO KNOW
Chapter 1 — Introduction (this chapter).
Chapter 2 — How to Become a Proactive Patient discusses how to take an active role in your cancer care and be your own advocate. Taking control of your medical care is key to getting the best possible outcomes for your disease.
Chapter 3 — An Introduction to the Urinary System describes the anatomy and functions of the urinary system. It is a geography lesson on the parts of the body that you need to know about as you read this book.
Chapter 4 — Diagnosing Bladder Cancer: Procedures and Tests describes the diagnostic tools used to diagnose bladder cancer.
Chapter 5 — Understanding Your Bladder Cancer Diagnosis discusses the information you need to know to understand your diagnosis, including the stages and grades of bladder cancer. Getting a complete and accurate diagnosis is a prerequisite for determining your treatment options.
PART 2 • TREATMENTS FOR NON-MUSCLE-INVASIVE
BLADDER CANCER
Chapter 6 — Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer discusses the different stages and grades of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer and its treatment.
PART 3 • TREATMENTS FOR MUSCLE-INVASIVE BLADDER CANCER
Chapter 7 — Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer discusses the stages and grade of muscle-invasive bladder cancer and includes an overview of its treatment. The different treatment options for muscle-invasive bladder cancer are discussed at length in chapters 8–12.
Chapter 8 — The Decision to Have a Radical Cystectomy discusses factors you need to consider when deciding if a radical cystectomy is right for you. A radical cystectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the bladder and reconstructs the lower urinary tract to create a way for urine to be eliminated from the body after the bladder is removed. A radical cystectomy is considered the “gold standard” treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Chapter 9 — Undergoing a Radical Cystectomy discusses how to prepare for a radical cystectomy, what is involved in the surgical procedure, and what you will learn from your postoperative pathology report.
Chapter 10 — Choosing a Urinary Tract Reconstruction discusses the different types of urinary tract reconstructions for patients undergoing a radical cystectomy, and what you need to know to decide which type of urinary tract reconstruction is best for you.
Chapter 11 — Recovery After a Radical Cystectomy discusses recovery from a radical cystectomy during your postoperative hospital stay and after you leave the hospital to continue your recovery and resume your normal daily activities.
Chapter 12 — Bladder Preservation Therapy discusses a possible alternative to a radical cystectomy for selected patients. Bladder preservation therapy — also called bladder-sparing therapy or trimodality therapy (TMT) — treats bladder cancer without removing the bladder.
PART 4 • TREATMENTS FOR METASTATIC BLADDER CANCER
Chapter 13 — Metastatic Bladder Cancer discusses the treatment of bladder cancer that has spread outside the bladder to the lymph nodes and/or distant parts of the body. The primary treatment for metastatic bladder cancer is systemic chemotherapy.
PART 5 • SURVIVORSHIP
Chapter 14 — Bladder Cancer Survivorship discusses the transition from active treatment to follow-up care, including what should be included in a survivorship care plan.
PART 6 • APPENDIXES
Appendix A — Bladder Cancer Risk Factors discusses the factors that increase the risk of developing bladder cancer.
Appendix B — Bladder Cancer Health Care Professionals is a list of the different health care professionals and the roles they play in caring for patients with bladder cancer.
Appendix C — Bladder Cancer Resources is a list of organizations and websites that offer educational materials, support, and advocacy for people diagnosed with bladder cancer and their families and friends.
Appendix D — Glossary of Bladder Cancer Terms translates complex medical terms into easy-to-understand language.
NOTE TO THE READER
NOTE TO THE READER
NOTE TO THE READER