Much to my surprise, there seems to be a "shadow" or a "thickening of my bladder wall" according to a CT scan I had to find what we thought were Kidney stones causing the Hematuria I have had twice since March.
In March they thought it was a prostate infection, guess they were wrong.
Anyway I went back to the Uro to get scoped after the CT. At which time her informed me he would need to go in and do a Retrograde pyelogram. My creatinine levels have risen over the last 4 months or so, so they didn't use the dye with the CT. Should have asked more questions at the time, but I really was still focused on the kidney and the blood in my urine, and not the "shadow". He did say it could be cancer "kinda like skin cancer" cut it out and be done with it.
Well, need less to say I've done some looking around on my own since then, and odds are it's more than cut it out and forget it.
CT was 12 days ago, been a long wait wondering.
In retrospect, wish I had gone to the Uro on the first instance in March.
So, I understand; barely, the importance of the Stage/Type/Grade and it's importance to the overall treatment and prognosis. I have also seen several things regarding the prevalence of understaging and the impact that may have on outcome. I have pretty much decided, regardless of how the TURB and the resulting pathology comes out. I'll get a second opinion.
I guess my biggest concern at this point is, it seems that the quality of tissue obtained by the TURB greatly impacts the resultant quality of the pathology. So, should I as part of the second opinion, expect a second TURB? Also, will it be difficult, Impossible? to get the tissue necessary in a second procedure?
Also, and I think I know the answer to this, I am about 200 miles from Baltimore, with a brother that lives there. Is there a better place for the second opinion, or farther down the line, more extensive surgery, if needed, than Hopkins?
Sorry for the book I just wrote, but I honestly think my wife thinks this is an oil change I'm getting tomorrow. I'll let her think that as long as I can.
Any thoughts or advice would be welcome.
Thanks
Steve