Bladder Cancer Stories
Welcome to our bladder cancer stories page. Bladder cancer starts when cells that make up the urinary bladder start to grow out of control. As more cancer cells develop, they can form a tumor and, with time, spread to other parts of the body.
Bladder cancers are often described based on how far they have spread into the wall of the bladder:
- Non-invasive: tumors in a small section of tissue or cancer that’s only on or near the surface of your bladder.
- Non-muscle-invasive: moved deeper into your bladder but hasn’t spread to muscle.
- Muscle-invasive: has grown into bladder wall muscle and may have spread into the fatty layers or tissues on organs outside of your bladder.
Treatment Options in 2025
Bladder cancer care is evolving rapidly, with new treatments offering the potential for longer survival and better quality of life—including the possibility of preserving the bladder.
Watch Our New Awareness Series
Bladder cancer affects thousands of individuals each year, yet too often, the voices of those facing this disease go unheard. In this video series, we spotlight the personal experiences of bladder cancer patients and care partners, offering insight, education, and a sense of community.
Through four powerful video essays, we bring attention to key aspects of bladder cancer—early detection, risk factors, treatment options, emotional and physical support, and the crucial role of care partners.
Bladder Cancer 101
Check out our bladder cancer overview and get answers to some of the most common questions about it. Then get real-world answers from our patient stories.
- Types of bladder cancer
- How bladder cancer spreads
- Bladder cancer stages
- Gender differences
Bladder Cancer Stories
Vickie D., Bladder Cancer
Symptoms: Intermittent pain in the gut and burning sensation
Treatments: Chemotherapy (dd-MVAC), surgery (cystectomy)
The Lasting Impact: Bladder Cancer in Those Who Served
Wally shares his real-life experience with bladder cancer, showing how strength, support, and great care helped him face the challenge head-on.
Michelle R., Recurrent Bladder Cancer, Stage 1
Symptoms: Irregular occurrences of seeing streaks of blood in urine, specific type of pain when bladder is full, unexplained weight loss, urinary urgency, malaise, fatigue
Treatments: Chemotherapy, surgery (TURBT: transurethral resection of bladder tumor)
Margo W., Bladder Cancer, Stage 1
Symptom: Blood in urine
Treatments: Chemotherapy, surgery (radical cystectomy)
LaSonya D., Bladder Cancer, High-Grade
Symptom: Blood in urine
Treatments: BCG immunotherapy, surgery (cystectomy)
Bladder Cancer Resources
Bladder Cancer Causes & Symptoms
Understand common bladder cancer causes, urine color, symptoms, and treatments as described by real patients.
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Bladder Cancer Series
Bladder cancer patients Ebony & LaSonya talk about their cancer journey, including their first symptoms, how they processed their diagnosis, treatment options, and how they found support. Dr. Samuel Washington, a urologic surgeon, also gives an overview of bladder cancer and its treatments.
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Diagnosis and Treatment for Bladder Cancer
Learn about the diagnosis and treatment process from bladder cancer survivors and medical experts. Discover diagnosis and treatment options./p>
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Bladder Cancer Medical Experts
Testicular Cancer: What Patients Need to Know
Medical oncologist Alok Tewari, MD, PhD, who specializes in cancers arising from the genitourinary tract, discusses what patients need to know about testicular cancer.
Dr. Christopher Weight, M.D.
Role: Center Director Urologic Oncology
Focus: Urological oncology, including kidney, prostate, bladder cancers
Provider: Cleveland Clinic
Dr. Samuel Washington, MD, MAS
Role: Assistant Professor of Urology, UCSF
Focus: Treatment disparities in bladder cancer treatment
Provider: University of California San Francisco
More Information About Bladder Cancer
For more information about Bladder Cancer and additional patients stories visit the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network’s (BCAN) website.
Navigating Life with Cancer
Learn more about navigating life with cancer from some of our most recent posts.
Emily’s Cytogenetically Normal Acute Myeloid Leukemia (CN-AML) Story
Emily T., Cytogenetically Normal Acute Myeloid Leukemia (CN-AML) with NPM1 & FLT3 Wild-Type Mutations
Symptoms: Nosebleeds, fever, chills, small red spots all over the body
Treatments: Chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant
Understanding Cancer Blood Tests
What is a CBC Test?
What is a CBC Test?
Learn about what a CBC test is and how the test can be used to help diagnose and monitor the progress of different types of cancer.
Hair Loss and Regrowth After Chemotherapy
Kelly’s Stage 3C Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Story
Kelly T., Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Stage 3C
Symptoms: Swollen lymph nodes on the neck, high white blood count
Treatments: Chemotherapy (doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, paclitaxel, carboplatin, capecitabine), surgery (nipple-sparing, skin-sparing double mastectomy), radiation, hormone therapy (tamoxifen)
Advances in GVHD Treatments and Clinical Trials
Advances in GVHD Treatments and Clinical Trials
Hematologist-oncologists Dr. Satyajit Kosuri and Dr. Shernan Holtan, patient advocate Meredith Cowden, and LLS clinical trial nurse navigator Ashley Giacobbi discuss the role clinical trials play in advancing the GVHD treatment landscape.