Latest pathology report from 5th TURB

A little about grading, my urologist in conjunction with the pathologist he utilizes either call them "low grade" or "high grade." Not much middle ground, I don't suppose.

Hi Rosie,

I would be upset to go from low to high grade in one blow like that. But I feel that the new grading system will actually help us all in the long run by eliminating the middle ground, making our chosen paths either aggressive or not. I suppose if there is still evidence of tumor at the 3 month follow up you will be offered BCG? Hopefully that Mighty Mito has done its job and you'll be clear.

Please keep us posted, and I wish you all the best.
Wendy

Thanks Connie and Joe for your words of encouragment and concern. I just talked with my urologist and he stated the "high grade" designation is most likely reflective of the new grading system that eliminates a grade 2 as an intermediate grade. My recurrences have been just outside the left ureter orifice. This time, a special instrument called a gyrus, using bipolar did a much more complete resection even into the ureter orficie about 2 mm so as not to once again leave tumor residue. Mitomycin C at 40 ML was instilled and clamped in for 1 hour. Hopefully this 5th resection along with the Mitomycin stops any recurrence and did not have any adverse affect on my left kidney. I am having a renal ultrasound done in 6 weeks to be evaluated for hydronephrosis. I sure am still learning even after 7 years. I will have a cysto in 3 months and discuss what from the results of that test. Rosie

Well Rosie I heard this way back that they were going to start this. The grading system was going to be changed there would be no more middle one G2. So that leaves us with G1 or G3 or are they just going to say low grade or high grade. Guess this is a good question for your Doc I would not get too alarmed. Joe

Rosie,

Sorry to hear you've joined the high grade club, but SO glad it is noninvasive. Hope the Mitomycin does its job for you. What is the plan for future treatment/check ups?

Best wishes,

Connie

I had my fifth TURB in seven years on September 19th. For the first time a new instrument called a gyrus was used as well as instillation of 40 ML of Mitomycin C. Everything looked in in the operative report. The pathology report states that it was non-invasive papillary ururothelial carcinoma, high grade. The new grading system probably has something to do with this being the first time a path report has stated high grade for me. In the past it would give me a number grade 1 or grade 2. This particular recurrences was in the same as the original single tumor at the left ureter orifice. This time also, some of the ureter orifice was resected. I have not talked with my doctor as yet to get some clarification as to why it was stated as high grade. It is a concern but I am really glad I had the Mitomycin C. Rosie