Deion Sanders health update: Tumor discovery led to removal of bladder for Colorado coach

Yahoo

28-07-2025

Deion Sanders had his bladder removed after a cancerous tumor was discovered on it, the Colorado football coach announced in a news conference alongside his medical team on July 28 in Boulder.
The tumor was described by Dr. Janet Kukreja of the University of Colorado Cancer Center as 'very high grade,' having moved through the bladder wall, but not into the muscle layer.
Monday's announcement brings an end to months of speculation about Sanders' medical condition.
REQUIRED READING: Coach Deion Sanders returns to Colorado after recovering from health issue
The 57-year-old Pro Football Hall of Famer had been away from campus for extended stretches during the spring and summer while recuperating at his estate in Canton, Texas.
"It's been a tremendous journey," Sanders said. "It's been tough."
Deion Sanders health update
Prior to his diagnosis, Sanders said he hadn't been feeling any of the symptoms typically associated with bladder cancer.
Sanders has received annual CT scans on his foot since he was diagnosed with compartment syndrome on his left leg, which required the amputation of toe toes from his left foot. About two weeks after his most recent scan, Sanders' primary care doctor reached out to him and referred him to a urologist.
Three days later, he underwent what was described as a 'quick' procedure and was later referred to Kukreja, who informed him he had bladder cancer.
'Men, everybody, get checked out because if it wasn't for me getting tested for something else, they wouldn't have stumbled on this," Sanders said. "Make sure you get the right care because without wonderful people like this, I probably wouldn't be sitting here today because it grew so expeditiously.'
Deion Sanders bladder removal
After the tumor was removed, Sanders was given options he said 'scared me to death' and ultimately chose to have it removed through a robot-assisted laparoscopic procedure. A new bladder was created and put in its place.
Sanders opted for removal over undergoing a series of treatments over several years. Kukreja said Sanders' form of bladder cancer has 'a very high recurrence rate' and that even with the treatment option, there would have had a 50% chance of recurrence.
Sanders said he lost 25 pounds following the procedure and that he "can't pee like I used to pee.'
What did Deion Sanders say about Colorado future?
Due to his immense fame and wealth beyond coaching, Sanders' future at Colorado has been an open question from virtually the moment he was hired in December 2022, with that chatter only intensifying during his absence from campus.
Sanders said Monday that "I'm able, I'm strong, I'm ready" when asked about where things stand with his role as the coach of the Buffaloes, who open the 2025 season on August 29 against Georgia Tech.
At least part of the reason Sanders opted to have his bladder removed was because of the significant time commitment that the series of treatments would have required.
Sanders is entering his third season at Colorado after inheriting a program that went 1-11 the season before he arrived. He has led the Buffs to a 13-12 record during that time, which included a 9-4 finish last season that was highlighted by Travis Hunter becoming the program's second-ever Heisman Trophy winner. The nine victories were Colorado's second-most in a season since 2003.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Deion Sanders health update: Colorado football coach had bladder removed
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