TITLE:
Late Presentation of Bladder Cancer—A Disturbing Trend
AUTHORS:
Abraham T. Oladimeji, Olukayode A. Oseni, Kehinde O. Apata, Moses A. Ogunjimi, Arize M. E. Nwofor
KEYWORDS:
Late Presentation, Bladder Cancer, Disturbing Trend
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Urology,
Vol.16 No.10,
October
10,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Bladder cancer is a highly recurrent urological malignancy. In developing regions like sub-Saharan Africa, late clinical presentation and post-treatment patient default pose critical challenges to effective urological and oncological management. Case Report: A 47-year-old man who was presented to our facility with one-year history of recurrent painless, total visible hematuria, associated with clots. He also had lower urinary tract symptoms. The patient initially defaulted for seven months after symptom onset. Clinical examination after re-presentation revealed a middle-aged male who was relatively stable with bilateral pitting pedal edema and palpable immobile suprapubic mass. He was evaluated and underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumour. Histology revealed infiltrating urothelial carcinoma (high grade). Conclusion: Advanced stage at presentation and high post-operative loss-to-follow-up highlight deep-seated socioeconomic barriers and poor health-seeking behavior in urological cancer care within our environment. Urgent public awareness campaigns are necessary to curb this disturbing clinical trend.