Help-Stepfather recently diagnosed

13 years 2 days ago #37020 by sara.anne
Replied by sara.anne on topic Help-Stepfather recently diagnosed
Sorry to meet you here....but you will find lots of information and support.

Sometimes doctors don't think that patients "need" to know all the details, and sometimes patients don't want to know. However, in order to make the right decisions, patients do need to have more information than you have been given.

The urologist should provide, especially if you ask, the grade and stage of the tumor (and a copy of the pathology report if you request it, which you should.) This will offer clues as to what the future may hold. There are people on this forum who can help you to interpret the information, if you desire.

The CT scan is looking to see if there is any spread of the cancer outside of the bladder.

Once this is done, your stepfather should seriously consider getting a second opinion at a center that specializes in bladder cancer treatment. Where are you located? There are people on this list who have pretty good information on the best centers.

Wishing you and your family the best of luck..

Sara Anne

Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator

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13 years 2 days ago #37019 by achilds99
Help-Stepfather recently diagnosed was created by achilds99
Hello,
My stepfather was recently diagnosed with bladder cancer. Initially it seemed like all would be fine, but when they went up the urologist found the tumor to be larger than first indicated. They sent away the removed mass for pathology. When the pathology report came back all the doctor stated was that it was "aggressive". Today he is going in for a CAT scan. What questions should we be asking? Shouldn't the doctor be giving us more information than simply "aggressive"? Please help!! To make matters worse, I am getting married in the Dominican Republic next month. Will he be able to go?
Thanks

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