Chemoradiation Vs Radical Cystectomy

tommy86712
tommy86712 Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Bladder Cancer #1
Is there anybody out there who has some sucess stories about deciding to use the chemo and or radiation therapy instead of radical cystectomy? My 81 year old mother (generally good health) has a major decision to make soon. She has been diagnosed with Stage 2 or Stage 3 (aggresive) bladder cancer. The surgical oncologist reccomends cystectomy because of a higher success rate. I have been doing a lot of reading about both treatments, and have had a lot of different survival rates. Some say they are basically the same and some are like 60% to 40%. Any advice would be appreciated.

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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0
    #2
    Dear tommy86712,
    The easiest
    Dear tommy86712,

    The easiest way to locate other CSN members with similar experiences is to type keywords (such as "bladder cancer," "chemoradiation," "cystectomy," etc.) on the search bar at the top of the home page. You can refine your search by clicking on the “Advance search” link listed underneath the search field. The major categories of content on CSN are blogs, discussion boards, personal pages, etc. For example, if you are looking for a specific posting on a discussion board, you can limit your search to discussion boards only by clicking on the "discussion" and "advanced search" button at the bottom of the "advanced search" box. Remember that you must be logged on if you want to post anything on a discussion boards, view personal pages, use the chat room, etc.

    Cordially,
    Your CSN Staff
  • lmills
    lmills Member Posts: 1
    #3
    Bladder cancer and what to do...
    Hi Tommy86712, I was diagnosed with bladder cancer over 2 years ago, and since the cancer had breached the bladder wall I had little alternatives. Chemo and radiation would only prolong the inevitable and after much research ( I am a trained scientist) and discussion with professionals, I opted for the cystectomy. Fortunately, my lymph nodes were negative and the removal of the bladder went as well as possible. I have a urostomy which is a pain to have but I am alive and well. You learn how to handle emptying and changing the pouch and generally forget you are an ostomate. I belong to a support group of people whose ages range up into the 80's who have urostomys, colostomys and ileostomys and all are doing well. Once the surgery is over with and you begin the recuperation period life does go on. I support the surgery since taking on chemotherapy and/or radiation may be worse than the disease at this stage of your mother's age. The immune system takes such a beating and you subject yourself to other diseases that surgery offers a better alternative.
    I will answer any questions you may have about the surgery and the follow-up, but whatever you decide on, best of luck. Lmills

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