BCG Treatment questions

That's good that your son has a knowledgable doctor! I'm sure he would also be aware of the fact that many times the dose of BCG gets lowered because of side effects. There's lot's of info here:
blcwebcafe.org/bcg.asp
and
blcwebcafe.org/drlammsprotocol.asp

All the best,
Wendy

Wendy,
Thank you. I am forwarding this topic on to my son. He goes today for his 3rd treatment and hope he reads this first.

His doctor has excellent credentials for treating bladder cancer and he uses a facility that does BCG treatments once a week and he is affiliated/on staff at BarnesJewish Hospital in St. Louis.
Mom

Hmmm, it could be that by 'in sitro' the doctor is referring to CIS, carcinoma in situ. This is actually an agressive form of bladder cancer, but BCG halts it about 75% of the time.

I hope your son has an experienced doctor who knows the territory because bladder cancer is a complicated disease, though very survivable. A careful approach must be used if someone has CIS. Were there also papillary tumors present? They often occur together, tumor and CIS. CIS does not appear as a tumor, but as a red patch and it's very difficult to stage properly as it can be invisible.

I'd want to know if that's what your dealing with. I'd also want an explanation for the bleeding, is it side effects from BCG or symptoms of tumor?

When people can't tolerate BCG, sometimes doctors give low dose BCG with Interferon as a combination, it's supposedly less toxic and just as good.
More info: blcwebcafe.org/interferon.asp
Wendy

Wendy,
The original diagnosis was the 'in sitro' nest clusters - Stage 1. No cancer has gone beyond the surface of the bladder.

The only real problem is repeated bleeding upon urinatiion and this has been on and off sice last Thanksgiving when first diagnosed. Thank you, Mom

It sounds as if the BCG was doing it's job and then some. There's such a thing as overkill with BCG and that's why it's often postponed, delayed or skipped in some cases. This supposedly doesn't effect the outcome of whether BCG will work for someone or not. If it's gonna work, it will work even with a few delays or skipped treatments. ANd yes, it's rather common. For this reason doctors are lowering the dose for those who respond as your son did.

It doesn't sound like he's missing the first 6 treatments in a row, just putting some time in between.

Please let us know how it goes...
Wendy
PS what was the original diagnosis, stage and grade? Just curious.

My son has had 2 BCG treatments fo the superficial bladder cancer. He was due for his 3rd treatment ysterday; however, last Thursday 3 days after his 2nd treatment he began passing blood in his urine. He called his doctor and was told no 3rd treatment and to come to the office to get his urine tested for infection. I know there can be no open areas inside the bladder when receiving the BCG treatment.

QUESTION: How important is it to have the BCG treatmens 6 in succession for positive results? Then follow-up with 5?

QUESTION: Is this a common occurrence with patients under BCG treatment?

QUESTION: Is it okay to miss a treatment every now and then? I asked this, but can't imagine missing a treatment.

I am just concerned about missing the first 6 treatments in a row. Could someone please advise?

Thank you.

"Mom"