37 is too young. Look at the waiting rooms!!!!

Simon,

I had a really large tumor removed a year ago - it was described as a "stalk of broccoli"... how appetizing ;D... anyway, it was TaG1 - very non-aggressive. I had one six month cycstoscopy, and all i had was scar tissue (a little too much, but I scar easily)... My second follow-up is in a month, and I'm hoping for a repeat of the same good news. I was 47 when diagnosed, a non-smoking office worker/dog trainer.

So large doesn't always mean bad. Oh, and my uro uses a rigid scope, and a local anesthetic; yes it's uncomfortable, and it hurts to pee for a few days afterwards, but he let me watch the screen, which made me forget about the pain (I'm a sucker for Discovery Health Channel, so watching the inside of my own bladder in real-time action was cool..).

Be strong, remain fearless!
Lauren

So sorry for your news, Rachael. You are in my prayers.

Hi Simon,

Sorry to meet you like this, yes, you're too young. But surely not alone.

Some uros like to use lasers...I think Rosemary is right that biopsying a lasered tumor would be difficult if not impossible, but I suppose some tissue was taken for biopsy first. Most times I hear of laser getting used for those with recurrent papillary tumors of low grade, when the uro is quite sure of the dx (recurs are almost always the same with Ta,G1 tumors).

If your doctor is very experienced, he's probably right the tumor was superficial/non invasive. The fact that it was large doesn't necessarily mean it was aggressive. The pathology report will tell you more. Please keep us posted...and in the meantime do not scare yourself...stay off the Net until you have the exact diagnosis, or you'll just make yourself more scared. Once you know, it's much easier to deal.

All the best,
wendy

Hi Rachael,

Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. Too bad they didn't biopsy while in there, but perhaps you weren't sedated enough, and the doctor wasn't prepared for that.

I'm thinking that the rash might be carcinoma in situ, some uros aren't familiar with how it looks if they haven't seen much of it and it's supposedly rare (10% of blc), though plenty of folks have it. It mostly gets described as a red, velvety patch.

This would not show up on a CT. So you should definitely follow up, and of course you should get a second opinion, preferably from an expert. No good doctor minds and if they did, they're not acting in your best interest.

Urine cytology tests are used to diagnose CIS and high grade bladder cancer. So the next urine test will be able to rule that out, hopefully.

Good luck with everything.
Wendy

Jamie Wright



Clinical Professor
Active Staff, Vancouver General Hospital, Pearson Hospital,
BC Cancer Agency
Vancouver
Hospital Authority: Vancouver Coastal Health




Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Special Interests

urological oncology
urethral strictures
vesico-vaginal fistula
renal calculi
laser applications

The biopsie is done from surrounding tissue.

Thanks Ro,
Simon.

Thanks-for-site-on-cystitis---the-pain-and-frequent-urination-sound-like-what-Iwas-experiencing...I-just-assumed-it-was-from-the-hysterctomy.---When-I-asked-the-DR-"a-rash"?????---He-just-said-that's-what-it-appeared-to-be.--So-I-let-it-go.---He-did-not-say-any-biopsies-were-needed-in-fact-now-that-I-think-about-it,I-don't-know-how-he-will-check-on-the-rash-since-he-said-I-wouldn't-have-to-have-another-cystoscopy.----I-might-add-that-I-am-a-firm-believer-that-they-should-at-least-give-you-a-local-when-they-do-the-cystoscopy.--- >---Luckily-for-the-men-out-there-the-dr.-said-they-have-come-out-with-a-flexible-scope-to-use-on-them. ;D--this-from-a-dr-who-still-uses-a-mercury-thermometer-in-an-alcohol-stand!!!----Ialways-try-to-stay-on-the-bright-side-of-things-and-most-of-the-time-drs.-sort-of-intimidate-me,-but-I-guess-maybe-I-will-get-asecond-opinion.
Than-you-so-much-for-searching-about-the-(rash)-that-sounds-so-funny-to-me-(rash)-ha-ha---Maybe-they-have-an-ointment-I-can-put-on-it.

Rachel