What Should I Expect With a Bladder Cancer Diagnosis?
Receiving a bladder cancer diagnosis can be a life-changing event. You may understandably feel a bit confused or overwhelmed, and you likely have multiple concerns. Knowing that support is available can help you cope with your condition and feel more confident in your treatment decisions. Toward that end, you are encouraged to work with the bladder cancer specialists in the Urologic Oncology Program at Moffitt Cancer Center. We can answer your questions, help you plan your next steps and guide you throughout your journey.
First, you should know that you can ask the multispecialty team at Moffitt anything that might be on your mind. Every patient has different concerns, and there are no right or wrong questions to ask. Second, candid communication is essential during this time. Remember, the goal is to help you better understand your bladder cancer diagnosis, make sense of your treatment options and receive any emotional support that you may need.
Questions to ask about your bladder cancer diagnosis
If you aren’t sure what to ask, that’s understandable, too. Here are some suggested questions to help you get started:
- What does my bladder cancer diagnosis mean?
- How advanced is my cancer?
- What is "cancer stage?"
- Should I get a second opinion?
- What will happen next?
- What are my treatment options; which do you recommend and why?
- What will my treatment involve?
- Will my treatment cause side effects, and if so, how can I manage them?
- How successful do you think my treatment will be?
- Who can I talk to about how I’m feeling?
What does bladder cancer treatment involve?
Your bladder cancer treatment plan may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, intravesical therapy, surgery or a combination of these and other options. The approach recommended for you will depend on the molecular makeup of your tumor and how far your cancer has spread, as well as your age, overall health and other individual factors. Regardless of the specifics of your treatment plan, you can feel confident that you will have access to the most advanced treatment options at Moffitt, including groundbreaking therapies that are currently available only through our renowned clinical trials program.
If you recently received a bladder cancer diagnosis and you need to talk, contact Moffitt by calling 1-888-663-3488 or completing our new patient registration form online. You don’t need a referral to visit Moffitt.