How many years can a 72-year-old with bladder cancer live without treatment

Survival from untreated bladder cancer varies from person to person and often depends on the stage of the cancer and the patient's overall health, but in general, without any treatment after diagnosis, a patient's life expectancy may be significantly shortened, perhaps to just a few months to a few years. Survival from bladder cancer is affected by a variety of factors, with the stage and grade of the cancer being the most important. For example, early-stage bladder cancer may progress slowly, while advanced bladder cancer tends to progress rapidly. The patient's age, physical health, and whether they have other comorbidities can also affect survival. An advanced age of 72 may increase the risk of having other chronic diseases, further affecting the overall prognosis. Although there is no precise time frame, forgoing treatment usually shortens a patient's life.

For bladder cancer patients, timely treatment can usually improve prognosis and quality of life. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy. Among them, surgery such as transurethral resection and total cystectomy are common means of treating bladder cancer; chemotherapy can choose gemcitabine combined with cisplatin; immunotherapy such as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have also shown certain efficacy in the near future. In addition, regular physical examinations to increase the rate of early diagnosis combined with individualized treatment plans can also prolong the patient's survival to a certain extent. Even at an advanced age, many patients can still prolong their lives and alleviate symptoms through active treatment.

For bladder cancer patients, timely treatment can usually improve prognosis and quality of life. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy. Among them, surgery such as transurethral resection and total cystectomy are common means of treating bladder cancer; chemotherapy can choose gemcitabine combined with cisplatin; immunotherapy such as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have also shown certain efficacy in the near future. In addition, regular physical examinations to increase the rate of early diagnosis combined with individualized treatment plans can also prolong the patient's survival to a certain extent. Even at an advanced age, many patients can still prolong their lives and alleviate symptoms through active treatment.

For a 72-year-old patient, no treatment may not be the best option. It is recommended to discuss with a professional medical team to develop an appropriate treatment plan. Even if it corresponds to palliative care, it can help patients by relieving symptoms and improving quality of life. A healthy lifestyle, such as a balanced diet and moderate exercise, can also help slow the progression of the disease. Psychological support is equally important, and patients and their families can seek help from professional psychologists to deal with the psychological challenges brought about by the disease.