My relative is 85 yrs old and has been diagnosed with muscle invasive stage 3 bladder cancer. Her oncologist has asked to consider all treatments including radical radiotherapy but we are unsure what level of risk this will pose in terms of developing incontinence. She already has issues with bladder emptying and self catheterises and her GP thinks she may have a rectocele with is contributing to this. She is highly independent and quality of life means more to her than anything else.
Are there any stats available on percentage of people who develop these side effects for radical radiotherapy?
And can anybody share expectations of how she might feel if she has the 6 sessions over 2 weeks versus 1 session per week for 6 weeks?
Its proving a difficult decision for her and if she had some idea of the likelihood of each side effect this would help.
Totally understand that everybody is different but even a rough idea would help.
Thank you
