Almost a yr. ago I was diagnosed with a leiomyosarcoma (extremely rare and aggressive tumor) on my bladder. It was very near the ureter and through the bladder wall. I was set to have a cysectomy on Jan. 24 of this yr. at the Cleveland Clinic. Half way through the procedure the surgeon talked to my husband telling him the tumor was not as large as it was seen on the CT scan, apparently much of what they saw on the scan was inflamed tissue surrounding the very small tumor. The pathologist in the surgical suite tested all tissue removed and several lymph nodes, an ovary and other sites close to my bladder, all were negative for cancer cells, except the tumor itselt. I had a partial cysectomy, leaving approximately 1/3 of my bladder. The final pathology report received two weeks post-op was the same as was diagnosed during the surgery. What was in my favor was the location of the tumor, which caused severe pain during urination. Part of the surgery entailed removing the ureter and then it's re-implantation. If the tumor had been in another place on my bladder I would have been in big trouble.
I have had 3 post-op CT scans, all clear. In July, the radiologist told my dr. he would have never known I had had anything done to my bladder, it is back to a normal size and shape.
The docs are still shaking their heads with my case, very unusual tumor with a very unusual, but wonderful, out-come. I had no further treatment.
From an extremely Thankful,
Claysgg
Topic Author
