Bladder Cancer (cont.)

Medical Author:

Gary David Steinberg, MD

Medical Author:

Mark H. Katz, MD

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Prognosis

The outlook for people with bladder cancer varies dramatically depending on the stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis.

• Nearly 90% of people treated for superficial bladder cancer (Ta, T1, CIS) survive for at least five years after treatment.
  
  
• Only about 5% of people with metastatic bladder cancer survive for at least two years after diagnosis.
  
  
• Recurrent cancer indicates a more aggressive type and a poor outlook for long-term survival for patients with high-stage or high-grade bladder cancer. Recurrent low-grade superficial bladder cancer is rarely life threatening.