Will bladder cancer affect life expectancy?

Bladder cancer can affect your life expectancy, depending on how severe it is, when it is detected, and how it is treated. Early detection and prompt treatment can significantly improve survival rates.

Bladder cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs on the inner wall of the bladder. In the early stages, it is usually confined to the bladder mucosa. However, as the disease progresses, the tumor may invade the bladder muscle layer and even spread to other organs. The key to affecting life expectancy lies in the stage and pathological type of the tumor. Common symptoms include hematuria, frequent urination, and urgency, but early symptoms may not be typical.

For superficial bladder cancer, most patients can survive long-term through transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) combined with intravesical instillation therapy, which greatly reduces the risk of recurrence. Muscle-invasive bladder cancer often requires combined surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. If the cancer cells have metastasized, treatment is more difficult and the overall prognosis is poor.

Regular physical examinations can detect abnormalities early and improve treatment effectiveness. If persistent hematuria or unexplained abnormal urination occurs, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Not smoking, drinking plenty of water, reducing exposure to chemical toxins, and eating more fruits and vegetables can help prevent bladder cancer.