Hello everyone...I am a 66 y/o diagnosed with bladder cancer (just had a TURBT) last week by a local urologist. He said there was tumor involving 1/3 of the bladder, but it was mostly superficial. The path came back as high grade, T1 (there was a small area of T1; most was Ta). It seems like people here offer some great advice, so I had a few questions about where I go from here and would appreciate answers to any of the following:
1. My current urologist said he feels like he removed all tumor so he wants to start BCG next. But online research indicates a 2nd TURBT should be done?
2. Any recommendations on who I should go to for a 2nd opinion (I am in the NY area). I asked my urologist who recommended Dr. McKiernan from Columbia, and also Sloan-Kettering. Looking through this website and others, it seems like Drs. Herr and Bochner from Sloan are highly regarded. Anyone know about these names and any others from NY, PA, Boston, Hopkins, etc that I may not be considering?
3. How difficult is it to get a quick appointment at one of these major cancer centers? I don't know if it is worth waiting months for an appointment when residual cancer could be spreading. Also, will I have to have a regular appointment first and then followed by a repeat TURBT, or can I send them all my records, path slides, etc. and then will they make my first appointment for a repeat TURBT?
4. I know I can be upstaged, but based on the high grade T1 I have so far it seems like the treatment is BCG. Has anyone been treated with initial cystectomy for T1?
Thank you