Hi Kristin,
My husband was diagnosed with an aggressive and invasive bc last July. The doctors deferred staging the cancer at that time, and said they would wait until after the radical prostectomy to do that. He was given a 20% survival rate past 5 years and a 25% survival rate if we pursued a treatment plan which included 4 rounds of chemo and a radical prostectomy in February, with a urinary rediversion of an indiana pouch. He is doing great except that he fatigues easily.
Here's my 2 cents: Continue to research the internet for information. Write back if you want some good sites/ studies to read. I built a small library of research findings and resources.
I think that the radical cystectomy in women includes removal of the uterus. Sometimes patients don't understand that. During our pre-op discussion the urologist told us that it was possible that he would find a mestatic cancer that had spread, which the ct scan had missed. That was the worst case scenario, but it was a shock to hear.
My husband's cx had spread to the lymph nodes and we knew that because of a ct scan. His nodes were removed. The pathology reports were negative. On the lymph nodes, the prostate, the bladder, everythiing. The doctors credited the chemo and his ability to tolerate it, for his response.
We didn't have any other scans such as a bone scan.
The highest ranked treatment appears to be chemo using gamzar/cisplatin followed by a radical cystectomy.
I hope I have addressed your primary questions, write back anytime. This was the most frightening experience of my life and I can only imagine how you might feel.
Your mom is fortunate to have a loving daughter.
all the best,
Elizabeth