Perth teen fights ultra-rare bladder cancer weeks before graduation

A 17-year-old student from Craigie in Perth has been diagnosed with an ultra-rare bladder cancer just weeks before she was due to graduate from high school. Amy Schutze, who has played volleyball at a state level and helped coach younger players, was diagnosed after a sequence of subtle symptoms prompted her GP to investigate further. Doctors described the disease as highly uncommon in someone her age, and the initial tests did not immediately point to cancer. By July, imaging revealed a large bladder tumor, altering her plans for Leavers Week and her upcoming exams.

A series of tests and scans showed a 5-centimeter tumor occupying the bladder. Following this discovery, Amy underwent emergency surgery on August 11 to remove the tumor. Surgeons found eight or nine smaller tumors nearby and confirmed that 10 percent of the cancer was the rare micropapillary variant, with the remaining 90 percent classified as urothelial carcinoma. A second operation followed on August 26 to address the additional tumors.

The collective findings prompted a plan for a third, seven-hour operation in Melbourne. Doctors will remove her bladder entirely and reconstruct a neobladder from a segment of her small intestine. Additional steps may include removing surrounding lymph nodes and, depending on how far the cancer has spread, reproductive organs such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus. While the surgery offers the best chance to remove the cancer, it carries significant implications for fertility and requires a lengthy recovery, with hospital time estimated at about three weeks and up to six months for a complete return home to Perth. Chemistry-based treatment could also be considered depending on intraoperative findings.

The move to a neobladder means Amy would regain urinary function but would face a new normal that requires careful long-term management. Doctors described the case as rare, with projections uncertain given the amount of micropapillary component detected in her tumor. The young patient says the decision to proceed reflects medical necessity rather than choice, and she remains determined to regain a sense of normalcy in her life.

Clinically, the road ahead includes questions about fertility and future pregnancies, given the potential removal of reproductive organs. Still, Amy has expressed hope for a future beyond cancer. Her goals span travel during a gap year, including working at Camp America, and pursuing higher education in international relations and possibly law in 2027. In the interim, she plans to document her journey on TikTok to raise awareness about bladder cancer in young people and encourage others to advocate for their health. She also intends to step back from some casual work commitments to focus on treatment and recovery.

The family and friends have organized fundraisers to cover interstate travel for Amy and her mother, accommodation during Melbourne stays, fertility consultations and ongoing care. The emotional and financial strain is substantial, but supporters say Amy’s outlook remains resolute. She credits a supportive school environment and care team for helping her navigate the past few weeks, and she says she knows she will get through this.