Overview
Stage 3 Bladder Cancer is when the cancer cells have spread beyond the bladder. This Stage is divided into two Stages called 3A and 3B.
Understanding your Stage 3 Bladder Cancer diagnosis will help you partner with your doctors to make the best treatment choice for you. Tap “Watch Now” for an easy-to-understand overview of Stage 3 Bladder Cancer.
- Stage 3A Bladder Cancer
- Stage 3B Bladder Cancer
Overview
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Stage 3A Bladder Cancer diagnosis means the Cancer has spread to one of the following areas of your body:
a. The layer of fat surrounding your bladder, shown here in yellow, and may have spread to nearby organs like uterus and vagina in women or seminal vesicles and prostate in men but has not spread to your lymph nodes.
or
b. the cancer has spread to one lymph node in the pelvis area, shown here in green.
In Stage 3A Bladder Cancer, the cancer has not spread to any other organs in your body.
What Tests Will I Need and Why?
Urine, Blood and Imaging tests are done to understand your general health, confirm your diagnosis and determine your cancer stage.
Tissue analysis is also typically done through a biopsy to identify the cancer cell type, which is critical to finding the best treatment option for you.
Re-read this summary as needed and then tap, “Compare My Treatment Options Now“. Our unique Comparison Page will help you understand your FDA-approved treatment options including, who can help you pay for your treatment, where and how each is given and what side-effects you may experience.
National Institute of Health/ treatment-bladder
Overview
Listen Now
Stage 3B Bladder Cancer diagnosis means the Cancer has spread to:
a) More than one lymph node in the pelvis, shown in green in your pelvic area
or
b) One or more lymph nodes outside the pelvis, but inside the abdomen.
In Stage 3B Bladder Cancer, the cancer has not spread to any other organs in your body.
What Tests Will I Need and Why?
Urine, Blood and Imaging tests are done to understand your general health, confirm your diagnosis and determine your cancer stage.
Tissue analysis is also typically done through a biopsy to identify the cancer cell type, which is critical to finding the best treatment option for you.
Re-read this summary as needed and then tap, “Compare My Treatment Options Now“. Our unique Comparison Page will help you understand your FDA-approved treatment options including, who can help you pay for your treatment, where and how each is given and what side-effects you may experience.
Replay this audio as often as needed and then take a look at our Commonly Searched Questions below.
National Institute of Health/ treatment-bladder
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Commonly Searched Questions
What are the symptoms of Stage 3 Bladder Cancer?
These are some common symptoms you might experience if you have Stage 3 Bladder Cancer;
The following symptoms of Stage 3 Bladder Cancer occur in both men and women:
- Blood in urine
- Urinating multiple times in a night
- Pain while urinating
- Difficulty urinating with a low-pressure stream of urine
- Pain in the abdomen
- Weakness and lethargy
Source: Cancer.org
What are the common treatment options for Stage 3 Bladder Cancer?
These are some common treatment options that are available for your Stage 3 Bladder Cancer:
- Surgery to remove the Bladder Cancer through the tube that carries urine from the bladder (urethra)
- Surgery to remove the whole bladder and the surrounding area that is affected
- Chemotherapy after surgery given directly into the bladder
- External radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy helps the immune system identify and kill the Bladder Cancer. BCG is the most commonly used immunotherapy for this Stage
- A Clinical trial for a new treatment
Now Click Here To Compare Your Latest Treatment Options.
Source: Cancer.gov
What is the survival rate of Stage 3 Bladder Cancer?
According to SEER data, Stage 3 Bladder Cancer has a survival rate of 37.5%. This generally means that people with Stage 3 Bladder Cancer are 37.5% as likely as people without cancer to live for 5 years after the diagnosis.
These numbers do not take into account the Bladder Cancer coming back, newer data and are an estimate so they should be used with caution.
Source: Cancer.gov
Is Stage 3 Bladder Cancer curable?
Stage 3 Bladder Cancer is potentially curable if treatment is started early. Since there is still a chance of recurrence monitoring should be done after completing treatment.
Source: Cancer.gov
How common is Stage 3 Bladder Cancer?
Bladder Cancer is the 6th most common cancer in the United States. Stage 3 bladder consists of 7% of all Bladder Cancers according to SEER data.
Source: Cancer.gov
How long can someone live without treatment?
There is no clear length of time that someone with Stage 0 Bladder Cancer can live without treatment. How fast the cancer grows and spreads is dependent on its grade or the cells look like. The higher the grade the more likely your Bladder Cancer will spread more quickly.
Source: Cancer.gov
