Bladder cancer in women

In women bladder cancer usually occurs above the age of 60 and comprises 3% of all female cancers. The hallmark of presentation is hematuria, which must be investigated by radiological imaging and cystoscopy. The best prognostic indicators are grade and stage. Stage divides the disease into two separate entities, superficial and invasive disease. Approximately 70%-80% of patients will present with superficial disease, 10% will fail treatment or progress to invasive disease, and 20% present with invasive disease. Superficial disease is managed by transurethral resection and additional intravesical therapy when high-risk parameters for recurrence or progression exist. Overall survival is good and the morbidity acceptable. Invasive bladder cancer carries a worse prognosis, with an average of 50% 5-year survival. Management of invasive disease warrants extensive surgery, which is the best single treatment modality. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are implemented in the management of progression or metastasis.