Learn The BasicsRecurrent bladder cancer refers to bladder cancer that has come back after treatment, either in the bladder itself or elsewhere in the body.
There are several factors that affect the risk of bladder cancer recurrence, including the stage, grade and type of cancer.
Recurrence risk by grade or stage
Research has shown that nearly 75% of patients with high-grade bladder cancer will see their disease recur. The recurrence rate is especially high within the first two years after diagnosis.
The same study has shown that Stage T1 bladder cancer was associated with a higher rate of recurrence.
Low-grade bladder cancer, although less aggressive, also has a high recurrence rate, with 47% of untreated patients and 35% of those treated with the chemotherapy agent gemcitabine having their cancer recur within four years of diagnosis.
Recurrence risk by type
Bladder cancer can be muscle-invasive or non-muscle invasive.
Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer is bladder cancer that has not spread to the underlying muscle tissue and is considered to be early-stage. However, this type of bladder cancer has a tendency to recur, with recurrences being either at the same stage as the initial tumor or at a more advanced stage.
A 2026 study has shown that the risk of recurrence increases with each repeat episode of non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer, rising to 31% after the first recurrence, 45% after the second recurrence and 54% after the fourth recurrence.
The risk of recurrence of muscle-invasive bladder cancer ranges between 20 and 50%.
Other factors affecting recurrence risk
Other factors that affect the risk of recurrence of bladder cancer include age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking and the surgical technique used to treat bladder cancer.
Older age has been associated with a higher risk of recurrence, likely due to a combination of overall health factors.
Women tend to have more aggressive forms of the disease after recurrence.
Obesity and diabetes also seem to increase the risk of recurrence of bladder cancer.
Smokers have an increased risk of recurrence compared to non-smokers due to continuously being exposed to carcinogens or cancer-causing agents found in tobacco smoke.
Finally, incomplete transurethral resection of the bladder or inadequate treatments following the operation increase the risk of recurrence of bladder cancer.
Reducing the risk of recurrence
There are certain things that patients can do to reduce the risk of recurrence of bladder cancer.
Research has shown that quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk of bladder cancer recurrence.
Since obesity and diabetes have also been found to be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer recurrence, maintaining a healthy weight through healthy eating and regular exercise can also reduce the risk of bladder cancer recurrence.
In some cases, chemotherapy delivered directly into the bladder after surgery can help reduce the risk of bladder cancer recurrence.