Bladder Cancer Outcomes

Bladder cancer survival rates vary greatly depending on stage at diagnosis. Patients with bladder cancer that has spread outside of the urinary tract have survival rates significantly lower than those not exhibiting metastatic disease. That is why prevention and early treatment are so critical to long-term success.

What’s important to keep in mind, though, is that survival rates don’t tell the whole story. First, it’s difficult to see in a snapshot, but survival rates are improving every day, thanks to new treatment options like immunotherapy. Second, bladder cancer survival rates are highly individualized, so averages tend to be misleading. Your chances of survival depend greatly on your specific cancer and where you go for diagnosis and treatment.

At Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Georgia’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, we are a leader in bladder cancer treatment and research. We develop and deliver the latest, most effective bladder cancer treatments with the fewest side effects. And as a result, our outcomes — including survival rates, recurrence rates and management of long-term side effects — are better than most other cancer centers in the U.S.

Winship is the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Georgia and one of only a select number of such centers nationwide. Comprehensive Cancer Centers must meet rigorous standards that require state-of-the-art facilities, the use of cutting-edge treatments and conducting breakthrough research and lifesaving clinical trials.

Because NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers like Winship represent the most innovative cancer centers in the nation, it’s no surprise they also have the best survival rates. Research shows survival rates are up to 25% higher when starting treatment at an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Researchers attribute these higher survival rates to surgical expertise, guideline compliance, access to clinical trials and team approaches to treatment planning, all of which are paramount at Winship.

Being a bladder cancer survivor puts you at greater risk for developing a new bladder cancer or another type of cancer in the future. That’s why Winship is dedicated to offering long-lasting treatment and post-treatment follow-up care and surveillance. We analyze your specific bladder cancer and the genomic components driving it to help us determine which treatment is most likely not only to  increase your bladder cancer prognosis, but also to prevent it from returning.

After successful treatment, we have quality measures in place to confirm you are cancer-free, such as testing surrounding tissue after surgery to ensure there’s no remaining cancer. And once you’ve completed treatment at Winship, we will continue to monitor your condition and follow you for at least five to 10 years to ensure you remain cancer-free and assist you with the management of any long-term side effects of treatment.

When it comes to bladder cancer outcomes, it’s important to consider the side effects associated with bladder cancer and treatment, particularly for patients who need to have their bladder removed. Your bladder cancer team will include ostomy nurses to help you cope with the challenges you’ll encounter with regard to staying hydrated, infection control, maintaining a healthy diet and more.

At Winship, you will receive the most powerful and precise treatments available with the least adverse side effects. You will receive minimally invasive surgery whenever appropriate to minimize the risks associated with open procedures and reduce your recovery time. We’ll take steps to reduce common side effects of bladder cancer, such as urinary incontinence and fatigue. And we will work with you on symptom management as well as coping with the psychological and emotional aspects of bladder cancer treatment for as long as you need us.