depending if the cancer has spread into the muscle or outside the bladder, first option is to have the bladder removed, then chemo and radiation. This is why it is so important to seek medical advise if you feel something is not right. People can live to old age that have had bladder cancer, some not so lucky, just depends on how advanced the cancer is. Gosh no one wants to think your going to die. It is important to keep your regular checks every year for the rest of your life. Bladder cancer, like any cancer can spread very quickly and cause cancer in other areas of your body.