Hi - just diagnosed with High Grade Non Invasive

Getting a second opinion (even before starting BCG) is a wise course. I believe that current research is that a re TUR for non-invasive BC is the gold standard (often with a single dose of mytomycin C (MMC) as a one time only chemo at the time of the reTUR (which has no side effects since it is contained solely with the bladder); there is a very recent paper by a doc at Memorial Sloan Kettering to that effect if I can find it.


I was diagnosed (dx'd in shorthand) in May 2009 with non-invasive, high grade BC and went through weeks of what I think is the same anxiety as most do. My signature block below shows what I have gone through and I can say that this board has been the single best source of info (including what questions to ask the docs - I saw three uro's locally before I settled on one) on BC.

My biggest concern was not dying, my docs convinced me that was unlikely if I followed the recommended course of treatment. But losing my bladder was (and still is) my biggest fear. I'm learning to take it in what is for now essentially three months chunks of time. BCG treatments,, followed by waiting for the cysto, followed by a high anxiety week of waiting for the path results to see if anything came back since the initial and re TURs.

I am now at a place where, while not happy with my situation, I understand the options and believe I (with the help of others here) am in the correct position to make the best informed decisions for me.

Be well,
David

I was dx'd almost 3 years ago (in January) and have not had recurrance. My Stage and Grade was T1 G3 (High grade non muscle invasive, but invasion through first layer of epithelium).

This is my story in brief:

TURB + Mitomycin in January 06
ReTURB + Mitomycin in March 06
Began BCG in June of 06 (6 courses + 3 maintenance)
2nd round of maintenance BCG in 2007
Discontinued BCG in July of 2007 (reactive arthritis)
Recurrance free as of 11/22/2008

Good luck. You are at the right place.

Rosemary

Welcome Tony,
I understand all your questions. We have all been there. I was Dx'ed with Ta CIS 07 - I always go for second (sometimes third) opinions. My Uro is very comfortable with this and likes that I am aggressive in my treatment. I have had the 6 BCG washes plus two maintenance and just yesterday had my Cysto. It has been 6 months since my last BCG and so far all is clean.Try to get all the info. you can as it helps in knowing what to ask. You came to the right place.

Nix

It's been almost 8 years since I was treated for high grade superficial (TaG3) bladder cancer with a TURB and Mitomycin C. I've never had a recurrence. I wish you the same.