BirchbarkGirl's Journey with Flat, Transitional Cell (Urothelial) ...

My local urologist is very skilled, but has no experience with the nested variants that are present in my bladder cancer. I went to the U of M Urological Oncology department and they have restaged my cancer diagnosis based on finding this more aggressive set of cancer sites. In total I have five affected areas in my bladder, including both pappilary and flat cancer tumors. I am awaiting likely confirmation that I will have to have either a simple or a radical cystectomy within the next two weeks. Should know the full prognosis within 5 days.

First procedure was for removal of two tumors and biopsy of remaining suspicious sites. Second procedure was to reexamine and more deeply biopsy tissue throughout bladder, as well as to confirm scope of carcinoma in situ.

This week I will get results of the pathology report from the second procedure and consult with my urological oncology team about the treatment course. I am fully expecting them to recommend a cystectomy, the question remaining in my mind is whether it will be a simple or a radical course. I really don't want to lose all of my reproductive organs, this surgery is going to be hard enough to recover from without that. Don't know if the doctors will recommend neobladder, ileal conduit or containment. I am a breast cancer survivor, six years out from surgery. This process is much harder.