A definition of pT1 "The tumor has spread to the connective tissue (called the lamina propria) that separates the lining of the bladder from the muscles beneath, but it does not involve the bladder wall muscle."
The consensus of how to treat this is: There is no consensus.
What this means is that some urologists recommend immediate cystectomy (removal of the bladder) and others prefer trying treatment with BCG. There are risks with both as mentioned in all the articles I have read: for many patients radical cystectomy may be "over-treatment" and not necessary while for many others BCG does not work and only delays the necessary surgery putting the patient at risk for further spread. You can GOOGLE pt1 bladder cancer and read many articles that discuss this without coming to any conclusion as to how to determine which patients can benefit from BCG and which need immediate cystectomy.
You need to listen to your doctor's recommendations carefully and most likely seek a second opinion at a major bladder cancer center. This is something that you need to consider very carefully and only you, and your doctors, can decide what is the best thing in your specific case.
Best wishes
Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
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