What Are the Stages of Bladder Cancer?
According to the Johns Hopkins pathology department, there are four stages of bladder cancer. Stage One is the starting point of the cancer and includes the tumor spreading into the lining of the bladder, but not into the muscle wall. Stage Two indicates that the cancer has spread into the muscle wall of the bladder, but not into the surrounding tissues or into the lymph nodes. Stage Three indicates that the tumor has spread not only to the muscle wall of the bladder, but also into the surrounding tissue of the prostate or uterus. Stage Four indicates that the cancer has invaded the bladder muscle wall, the surrounding tissues and the lymph nodes of the body. How is Bladder Cancer Treated? The first line of treatment is usually surgical. The degree of surgical intervention is determined by the stage of the cancer–the later the stage, the more radical the surgery, including potential removal of the entire bladder and the surrounding tissues such as the prostate, uterus and ovaries. Oth
