Is it true that bladder cancer has a higher recurrence rate than most other cancers?

Maybe: Bladder cancer does recur and sometimes frequently but it usually depends on 2 characteristics: size/number of tumor(s) and grade (as seen by pathologist). Tumors that are larger and are high grade are more likely to recur.

Yes: The recurrence rate for superficial bladder cacner is 50% within the first year of treatment. This is why we use chemotherapy and immunotherapy within the bladder to prevent recurrence. This is alos why the follow-up of patients with superfiical bladder cancer is so frequent - every 3 months for the first 2 years after diagnosis and then every 6 months unitl year 5. Then follow-up is annual.