Beginning BCG

7 years 9 months ago #51264 by LillianG
Replied by LillianG on topic Beginning BCG
Hi Janice, it's standard protocol to do a second TURBT when the cancer is high-grade and the original biopsy/sample does not include muscle tissue. They need the muscle tissue to accurately Stage the cancer (ta, t1, t2, t3) and determine if the tumor was superficial or invasive. The treatment paths will depend on the grade of the cancer and whether it is noninvasive or invasive. At this point, you only know the grade. I do suggest that once you have the second TURBT, have your slides sent out for a second opinion to confirm the pathology/diagnosis. (I had mine sent to Johns Hopkins.)

BCG treatments are normally used for noninvasive, high-grade bladder cancer. There is an induction phase of 1x a week for 6 weeks. After the 6 induction treatments, they do a cystoscope and take a peek inside the bladder to make sure that the tumor(s) did not return. If there is no recurrence of tumors, they usually wait a few weeks after the scope, then start the BCG maintenance treatments. If the scopes are all clear, then the Maintenance treatments are usually 1x a week for 3 weeks at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, 30 months, 36 months, and then some.

I hope this helps,
Take Care,
LilyG

5/2015 4x2cm HG Ta Papillary TCC; 6 initial BCG followed by 3 sets of BCG maintenance. Ten scopes - all NED. Now at scope 1x year.
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7 years 9 months ago #51263 by Jfoutz
Replied by Jfoutz on topic Beginning BCG
Are the BCG treatments scheduled weekly? I asked the doctor about BCG, but he said we would do the Mitacyn C.. I have an appointment at UTSW for the 20th of June, should I cancel my 2nd TURBT? Since he didn't get any muscle tissue the first go round and said no to the BCG I'm thinking I will continue with the University hospital.

Janice

Blood in Urine 4/17/2016
1st TURBT 5/26/2016
High grade Ta according to Doctor- Doctor did not get any muscle, so pathologist did not grade
2nd TURBT scheduled 6/13/2016

Hematuria 4/2016
TURBT 5/2016
BCGx6 7/2016
Reoccurrence & TURBT 2/2017
BCGx6 4/2017
BCGx3 7/2017
TURBT 10/2017
Gemcitabine X6 12/2017
Cytology negative 4/2018
Cytology negative 8/2018

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8 years 1 week ago #50860 by Razorbacktusk
Replied by Razorbacktusk on topic Beginning BCG
Got 1st BCG yesterday ... Doc talked to me asked me questions answered mine. very professional AND personable feel very relaxed and comfortable around him and trust his spelunking in my body lol.

told me we would do 6 BCG and wait 3 weeks for a camera inspection, and if he was not satisfied would do 6 more. .. said my tumers were VERY close to muscle wall and its imperative to get all traces of the cells.

His Nurse also has same professional AND personable, feel very relaxed and comfortable around her, BCG was fast and painless, if i was to describe it for those who not had BCG yet... you lay flat on your back and half naked, and look at the cealing and try to relax, talking to the nurse takes ya mind of whats going on, the Cath is small and she sterilize's your area and holds your Mr Jr and glides the cath into your bladder and a small vial of BCG is gravity fed into your bladder and then removes the cath, if i was to describe the cath insertion/removal it would have to be a tickle sensation sort of like the dentist pulling on a numbed tooth

will see how the next 5 go.



www.healthgrades.com/physician/dr-jeffrey-marotte-ynjy5

Feb 1st 2016 TUR grade 2, removed were 2 tumors and many tiny nodes, the 2 large ones were 3.5cm
BCG maintenance in progress
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8 years 1 week ago #50855 by lotech35
Replied by lotech35 on topic Beginning BCG
I'll let you know!

Diagnosed Sept 2015 noninvasive
1st turbt Oct 3 2015, 2nd turbt Nov 13 bladder,
Completed 6 BCG initial treatments 01/11/16 02/09/16 No Cancer!
08/09/16 Cyto shows red spots on bladder, TURBT prostate scheduled
09/12/16 Cancer is back Ta prostate ,T1 high grade bladder papillary uthelial.
Cancer has invaded muscle getting RC.

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8 years 1 week ago #50854 by Jay
Replied by Jay on topic Beginning BCG
lotech35: Reading my last post, it wasn't all that clear. I meant to say I'm starting my 3rd time of having the 3 month/3 week treatments. I've learned something this time. Besides the burning, I experience, very lightly, the nausea, flu like symptoms, loss of appetite and sensitivity to light for about 3 days after the treatment. So, I'll have this to look forward to the next 2 Thursdays/weekend. What a difference I felt when I woke up Monday! I'll find out the end of April when I have my cysto if I now start 6 months between treatments:-) Sounds like you are handling things well, it's not what we want, but we have to do. Bummer was, not even overdosing in chicken soup afterwards didn't do the trick this time:-( Hoping you and everyone else continues to do well!!! Jay
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8 years 1 week ago #50846 by Wichobel
Replied by Wichobel on topic Beginning BCG
Greats news congratulations!!

Diagnosed 01/13/2015. T1G3
1rst turb
2nd turb 02 /2015
6 BCG
Now 15 BCG. NED. Waiting
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