Staging is a process that tells the doctor if the cancer has spread and if it has, how far. It depends on the size of the original tumor and whether the cancer has spread to nearby tissues and other parts of the body. Staging is an important factor in determining treatment options.
Abnormal cells, but non-invasive cells found only in inner layer of the bladder. Tumors may be papillary carcinomas (Stage 0a), which form mushroom-like tumors on the inner lining, or carcinomas in-situ (Stage 0is), which are flat tumors.
Treatment
Surgery (transurethral resection) with or without chemotherapy or immunotherapy instilled into your bladder after surgery.
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Description
Cancer has grown through the inner layer of the bladder and into the next layer.
Treatment
Surgery (transurethral resection) chemotherapy or immunotherapy will usually be instilled into your bladder after surgery. Surgery (radical or partial cystectomy) is also an option, particularly if the tumor is recurrent after previous radiation.
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Description
Cancer has grown through the two inner layers of the bladder and into the muscle layer.
Treatment
Surgery (radical cystectomy, partial cystectomy, transurethral resection), chemotherapy, radiation therapy.
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Description
IIIa: Cancer has grown through the muscle layer and into the layer of fatty tissue surrounding the bladder. Cancer may have spread to nearby organs such as the prostate, uterus, and vagina. Cancer may have spread from the bladder to one lymph node in the pelvis that is not near the major arteries in the pelvis.
IIIb: Cancer has spread to at least one lymph node that is near the major arteries in the pelvis.
Treatment
Surgery (radical cystectomy, partial cystectomy), chemotherapy, radiation therapy.
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Description
IVa: Cancer has grown through the layer of fatty tissue surrounding the bladder and spread to the pelvis, abdominal wall, or to lymph nodes that are above the major arteries in the pelvis.
IVb: Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or distant parts of the body.
Treatment
Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy or clinical trials. Surgery is typically not offered to this stage.
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