T4 Bladder Cancer, Inoperable

Hello...my husband is 47 and has been diagnosed with a t4 urothelial (tcc) bladder cancer that is inoperable...we found out about it because he is a quadriplegic and his right kidney stopped working, which it turns out was due to a blocked bladder...he now has a nephrostomy tube in his left kidney and the surgeons at Vanderbilt have said the tumor is far too large and probably fixed to the pelvic wall, therefore radical cystectomy is not an option. They are recommending chemo to see if the tumor can be downgraded and resected. they have given Bryan anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, if he responds well to chemo and can be operated on...
we cannot find much information on people who have bladder cancer to this extent, since most seem to be superficial ...any information would be so appreciated, especially if you or a loved on has this cancr and you can tell us what will happen? We are told cause of death may be kidney failure or bowel obstruction, but since they don't know the bladder is fixed, we wonder if they could be wrong and this is not as dire (probably our desperation, but we want to find out)...has anyone had PET scans for diagnosis? Do you have a fixed bladder, directly attachhed to nearby organs or pelvis...? Please help us...and God bless You!!

Hi, my name is Tony, I am 41 and from the UK. I was born with Spina Bifida and have urinary incontinence as well. After a routine Urodynamics Test I had a prostate biopsy last December, and CT and MRI scans which led to a diagnosis in January 2006 of t4 Bladder Cancer which, like your husband's is inoperable. Only one of my kidneys works (the left one) and in MArch I had a nephrostomy fitted.

I don't know much about my condition except that the Dr says I cannot have Chemo cos of my kidneys being affected and that when I said "So you're telling me I am gonna die" he said, "From this, yes"! He didn't say how or give me any indication of timescale! Radio Therapy was planned for March but I was in hospital having my nephrostomy so that put paid to that,

While I can't answer your questions I just wanted you to know my thoughts are with you. If you want to, email me, --- Message edited by CancerCompass staff: for personal protection, email address removed. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html ----

With best wishes for you and your husband,
Tony