BCG , Surgery, and Success Rates

14 years 10 months ago #25569 by mmc
Replied by mmc on topic BCG , Surgery, and Success Rates
If there is urethra involvement, that can certainly have an impact on the potential for neobladder. Neobladder typically connects back up to the urethra.

The next alternative might be the Indianda pouch with a naval stoma. It just looks like your regular old belly button (from what I've been told). He would then insert a tube into that to periodically drain the pouch.

The better the cancer center, the higher the probability of getting a better diversionary system because they have more experience than anyone else and have seen more complications (e.g. urethra involvement, prostate involvement, etc).

Best of luck to your dad!

Mike

Age 54
10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
1/2014 ct scan results....distant mets
2/2014 ct result...spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph...

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14 years 11 months ago #25536 by Patricia
Replied by Patricia on topic BCG , Surgery, and Success Rates
Dr. Sawczuk is quite well known ...He is profiled on Uro today
www.urotoday.com/5/meet_the_expert/meet_the_experts/meet_the_expert__ihor_s_sawczuk.html?s_cid=focusoncology021009dexpert_t

free to register and access.

And yes if there is involvement with the urethra they cannot do the neobladder. You're in good hands with this doctor.
Pat

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14 years 11 months ago #25532 by balihigh
Replied by balihigh on topic BCG , Surgery, and Success Rates
No, I don't know of him but I went to Sloan Kettering in NYC from North Carolina. They are wonderful and I have no regrets in going so far. You need someone who treats bladder cancer on a daily basis. Patricia said she interviewed 7 doctors before deciding on one so you see how important this decision is. I have heard of some terrible consequences of people who chose to stay close to home with local urologists. It maybe convenient but this is a special cancer than not every urologist knows how to treat. I can't say enough about going to a major cancer hospital that specializes in bladder cancer.

By the way, I have the illeal conduit and am perfectly satisfied with it. I had no choice either and was disappointed at first that I was not a candidate for the other diversions but this one is simple, easy to maintain, and I live a normal life. I have no complaints at all.
Balihigh

female 60
1/08 dx 4 tumors TURB
T1 G3
12 BCG + interferon
5/08 another tumor/TURB
9/08 RC illieal conduit

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14 years 11 months ago #25531 by jmg2009
Replied by jmg2009 on topic BCG , Surgery, and Success Rates
Thanks all...

He may not be candidate for neobladder due to some issues with porstate and urethra.... we still have to see.

We are going to Hackensack (NJ)... Dr. Sawczuk.
Anyone know of his BC experience?

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14 years 11 months ago #25525 by balihigh
Replied by balihigh on topic BCG , Surgery, and Success Rates
I actually felt fortunate that it was "only" my bladder that I lost. It can be covered up no matter what diversion you have. No one has to know and life will continue pretty much as normal. People lose their limbs, are paralyzed, burned and maigned in all different ways that can't be hidden. Try to point out the positive with your dad. Tell him that there are thousands who are living normal lives after bladder cancer. Even colon cancer and colostomies are worst than urinary diversions. I know several people who are living with them and believe me, they are harder to deal with than my bag. Cancer is devastating at first but you must come to terms with it. Life does go on and it can to a good life.
Balihigh

female 60
1/08 dx 4 tumors TURB
T1 G3
12 BCG + interferon
5/08 another tumor/TURB
9/08 RC illieal conduit

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14 years 11 months ago #25524 by Patricia
Replied by Patricia on topic BCG , Surgery, and Success Rates
jmg.....Greece has about 2000 cases of bladder cancer a year as compared to the US's 65,000 on/or about.
Has the uro/surgeon given him a choice of diversions? Men do very well with the neobladder. If this surgeon can only do an ileal conduit i would consider another opinion at a high end cancer center.
Pat

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