Care and mobility considerations
Disabling effects of bladder cancer are variable and depend on how advanced disease has become, what treatment is possible and whether recovery is expected or not. There are three different categories used in care and mobility guidance for bladder cancer, they are the same three categories used in the treatment section they are:
Superficial
There are usually no care or mobility needs associated with superficial bladder cancer or its treatment.
Invasive
Care
The symptoms of this condition are not disabling and the aim of treatment of this condition is to return a person to full health. If someone is receiving treatment it is unlikely that there will be enduring care needs once recovery from surgery or radiotherapy treatment is complete. If any award is made to cover disabling effects during the treatment period it should be of limited duration. The exception to this is
- Where other disabilities mean that a person cannot manage their own continence or urostomy without help in which case a life award should be made to reflect that urinary diversion is permanent, an example of this would be severe rheumatoid hands affecting manual dexterity or mobility problems.
- Where enduring but rare side effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment occur.
If cancer has returned after treatment for invasive bladder cancer - follow Advanced or Metastatic bladder cancer guidance below.
Mobility
There are usually no enduring mobility problems associated with this condition.
Advanced or Metastatic
Care
They may experience any of the common disabling effects of metastatic cancer such as those caused by brain, liver and bone metastases. For those who have developed metastatic disease after cystectomy they may have difficulty managing their urostomy through fatigue, particular problems for them may be dealing with larger heavier night bags used to collect urine and dealing with laundry associated with leaks. A further problem may be the added burden of extra tubes and equipment associated with nephrostomy tubes (this is a catheter inserted through the back - into the kidney when the urine outflow from the kidney is blocked) – a kidney which is blocked like this may be very painful. This is in addition to the general effects of metastatic disease.
Mobility
A particular problem for people with bladder cancer may be lymphoedema of the lower limbs which has a profound effect on the ability to walk.
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Amended June 2008
