Hi,
As others have said - sorry you have to be here - but it is a great place to get info.
My husband was diagnosed with muscle invasive bladder cancer in February. I know that you want to know the grade but in the early stages it really isn't helpful. You just need to listen to what needs to be done and get it done by whomever you feel comfortable with. The first surgeon we saw was all for just cutting out the bladder immediately (which in retrospect may have been the best option!). We then got a second opinion from a surgeon who knew more about the bladder cancer treatment, and was younger so had been trained in more robotic surgery, reconstructions etc. and suggested Chemo first. We have no idea if he was any better but my husband felt much more comfortable with him, and with the team (chemo) approach.
Studies do show that cancer before the surgery is more successful. However, not many studies have been done on chemo AFTER surgery, so it's not conclusive.
However, he only had 2 of the 4 rounds of chemo because scans showed it was not doing anything i.e. the tumor hadn't shrunk, it was probably SO big (9cms) that the chemo just wasn't helping. He was booked for surgery as soon as the effect of the chemo had worn off. He then had surgery where they did a radical cystectomy, removed his prostate and all 8 lymph nodes (2 were found to have cancerous cells). The cancer was too far into the bladder neck for them to give him the neobladder he'd hoped for, and at 56 yrs old he didn't want a bag so he opted for the indiana pouch.
All along I wanted to know the stage but looking back it wouldn't have been helpful to know anyway. What difference will it make to the treatment? The consultant's and oncologists will help you with the best technology has to offer.
As our oncologist tells us "This is curable." My husband has just finished a different course of chemo, (used by the MD Anderson Cancer center) Dose Dense MVAC, as the previous chemo drugs (Gemzar & Cisplatin) didn't seem to be effective for him. I'm telling you all this because we seem to have been through a number of options, regardless of the stage of the cancer.
Has it worked? We'll know in 5 years apparently. That is very hard to hear/know but we have to just hope - like most cancer patients - that it doesn't come back.
Reading reports on this forum shows us that it is possible to survive this cancer. Be prepared to know more about the bladder than you ever wanted to!! Stay positive, and get the best advice you can.
Love and best wishes, Amanda