scared

Hi Pat' I didn't have surgery but before my last scope 3 weeks ago I told the Dr I had been having pain on my lower left side and he did a pelvic before my scope. I had to go get an ultra sound. The pelvic made my side really ache !

Eileen My prayers are with you, the only sign I had was I just bled when I peed once, the c scan said no tumors just kidney stone.
A year later bled some more once, the c scan said no tumors, week later Dr saw five tumors with a scope . Mine was not invasive. Rocky

Yes, I had an internal exam done under anesthesia. Because of the large size of my tumor, and the difficulty determining tumor invasion to other pelvic organ on the CT and MRI, an internal exam was done. The surgeon was able to then know if the tumor and pelvis were movable (a better sign) or fixed and fused (more advanced disease). The findings determined which surgical options were appropriate. Denise

Just curious from you females out there...did you ever have an internal by your uro prior to surgery? I didn't...and as most of you know i traveled all over the country to 7 of the top uro's who deal specifically with females...not one did an internal. They checked my abdomen externally but they also had all my slides, Ct scan , and blood work and my bone scan.
pat

Eileen,

Well...now you have the info and a plan.
That's a good thing.

Did you discuss a particular diversion? Does this surgeon have lots of experience with that particular diversion with women?
This is really important when it comes to outcomes.

Of course it sucks that it has been confirmed as muscle invasive, but it isn't as bad as you thought it might be. Hope all goes well on your other checks so you can proceed with the surgery without complication or added risk.

All the best!
Mike

Thanks all for all your help

went to NYU dr and am completely confident and honestly, it may not be the best decision, but best for me. I totally conncted with this Doctor. Path report showed it invaded detrusor muscle--plus I had two tumors not one.

I am getting scans done saturday at NYU (MRI--YUK and scan of chest as I had lung cancer years ago) --if a go, I will get surgery on the 15th of this month (Merry Christmas)--if no go, chemo till February then surgery. If it expanded, then a differet regimen.

He did an internal on me and when he pressed on my bladder when doing so, I wanted to cry the pain was so bad. He said bladder is expanded--could be from TURBT or tumor is still there.

Got path report--there were two tumors, one slide showing muscularis propria invasion. My doc is getting slides

thanks for all your help everyone!!!!! I feel so much more connected when I can touch base with others that have gone through this.

Hi Eileen,

Although it is inaccurate, many urologists use the term invasive to mean muscle wall invasion or more and do not include lamina propria invasion in invasive category. This is unfortunate as it is inaccurate and leads to miscommunication. I agree with Mike that since RC is recommended it is probably T2 or more, but some do recommend RC for T1 so the only way to know for sure is to ask or get the path report. I also agree with Mike that life without a bladder and without bc is pretty great. I hope all works out well for you.

jj