How bad is bladder cancer when it invades the lymph nodes?

High risk: Bladder cancer found to be in the lymph nodes at the time of bladder removal is considered "advanced" and 5 year survival estimates are on the order of 25-30%. However, some patients with relatively little involvement of the nodes can experience prolonged survival, if not cure, from thorough surgical removal of lymph node tissue at the time of surgery for bladder removal. Chemotherapy may help.