Mother Recently Diagnosed with Bladder Tumor

11 years 7 months ago #42816 by sara.anne
Replied by sara.anne on topic Mother Recently Diagnosed with Bladder Tumor
There is just no way to be sure without removal and a biopsy of the tissue. Anything else would be pure conjecture.

Just don't understand why, when blood was present, an immediate referral to someone who specializes in bladder cancer wasn't done. Hopefully she has a fully competent doctor caring for her now.

It is so hard for you, not being right on site. Perhaps
your mom could give permission to her doctor to discuss the case with you by telephone? A number of years ago my father had kidney cancer and misunderstood something the doctor told him. This resulted in Dad's thinking that the doctor had written him off. WOW DID I EVER CALL THAT DOCTOR!! Turned out when I told him what Dad
had reported to me he understood immediately where the misunderstanding occurred and had Dad in for a long conversation. If her doctor is able to talk to you (and with her permission he can) you will feel better, getting the information first hand, and you can help in explanations to your mom.

Best of luck to your entire family!

Sara Anne

Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator

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11 years 7 months ago #42815 by kaeley
Does anyone know the chance that this tumor is benign?

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11 years 7 months ago #42814 by mmc
Oh, ok. I misunderstood. Glad she got the CT scan and has been referred.

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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11 years 7 months ago #42813 by kaeley
Hi Mike,

They are removing the "mass" due to what they could see on a CT scan, not the urinalysis. Sorry I was not more clear. My father is able to attend appointments with her. I believe the urologist she was referred to is the one who ordered the CT scan, and subsequently wants to remove the mass. The previous doctor (one that deals with my mother's recurrent UTIs and incontinence problems) is the one that ordered the lab work and then sent her to this new urologist.

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11 years 7 months ago #42812 by mmc
So far there does not seem to be proof of a tumor. Tumors are not confirmed by urinalysis. It can be indicative of a likely tumor but that needs confirmation by other means.

The fact that she has to use a catheter increases the chances of all kinds of things. Examples are urethral damage (which could cause bleeding) and UTIs. She had pain to start with and more often than not bladder cancer presents as blood in the urine without pain.

I HIGHLY recommend a different urologist. One who specializes in bladder cancer.

It is important for someone to go with her and take notes.
I don't think she should let this urologist, if it is the same one the whole time, touch her.


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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11 years 7 months ago #42810 by upnorth
Replied by upnorth on topic Mother Recently Diagnosed with Bladder Tumor
Kelly,

I am so sorry that she has had such poor treatment. This is the reason we ask that someone goes with her to each appointment and ask questions. This same person (the caregiver) should also read carefully every report that she gets from her doctors.

I can't say how long the tumor has been growing, but I can say that she should have been sent to a urologist when they found blood, and had problems urinating.

I understand your anger and wish I could ease your frustrations. But the important answers will come after the removal of the tumor. You can not change the past, but you can make sure that her care is watched over more closely. and that questions are answered, not left on a foot note. and not followed up on.

Have you talked to your father and told him that you want to help, and want to be more involved in her care?

Age 55
Diagnosed BC 12/20/2011 Ta No Mo 0a Non-Invasive At age 48
"Please don't cry because it is over..... Smile because it happened!" {Dr. Seuss} :)

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