Recently had TURBT - 5cm tumor removed

10 years 11 months ago #44467 by Rockyiss
Replied by Rockyiss on topic Recently had TURBT - 5cm tumor removed
Hi Tammy, I am sorry you have to be on this site and I hope that everything turns out ok for you. I had five tumors they were ta grade 2 , which means they were not invasive. I had chemo put in my bladder once after the surgery. That was seven years ago. It has come back several times but each time it is low grade and they remove it. Since it has been low grade I have not had any other treatment.
My brother had bladder cancer ten years before me , they took it out 2 times and it never came back. I also have a nephew that has had it. They both smoke , but I have not. so I don't know where mine came from.

The others on this site are very good at giving out info. and peace of mind. I know that it can be very hard to go thru this but know that our prayers are with you. Rocky

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10 years 11 months ago #44463 by sara.anne
Replied by sara.anne on topic Recently had TURBT - 5cm tumor removed
Catherine has given you a wonderful summary of the situation!

I would just like to clarify that bladder cancer can be very treatable, especially if found early. IF you have a low grade, small tumor, you may not even need further treatment; however, one of the properties of bladder cancer is that it does tend to recurr...therefore you should be scrupulous about keeping up with your doctor's schedule of check-ups.

If the tumor is larger, or is "high grade" (likely to grow quickly) you will probably be encouraged to undergo "BCG" infusions into the bladder. I was diagnosed about 5 years ago with a type of cancer called "CIS" which IS high grade. I underwent the BCG treatments and am still cancer-free!

We will be thinking of you and waiting anxiously to hear your pathology results. You will have many questions, I am sure, and we will try to help answer them.

Sara Anne

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

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10 years 11 months ago - 10 years 11 months ago #44461 by CatherineH
Replied by CatherineH on topic Recently had TURBT - 5cm tumor removed
Hello and welcome to the forum. First I have to say how beautiful you and your girls are in your photo. I know you are scared and confused and we have all been right where you are right now after first getting such devastating news. Waiting to find out the results is a frightening wait that seems to take forever.

I will attempt to answer your questions in a general way. Don't assume the worst until you have your pathology report explained to you and your doctor has determined exactly what you are dealing with. I hope other forum members will add, clarify, or correct my info below if needed.

Not all bladder tumors are cancerous, but unfortunately, it seems most of them are with varying degrees. That being said, most are VERY treatable today with very favorable outcomes. A tumor that is non-invasive generally affects only the superficial layer on the inside of the bladder. A tumor that is diagnosed as invasive has penetrated through the lining (or has the potential) and into the muscle wall of the bladder. Once a cancer has gotten into the muscular wall, it is possible for it spread elsewhere via the bloodstream or lymph system, and the deeper the invasion the higher the probability of that happening over time. (It doesn't happen in every case which is why this is just general info.) This is why early detection is very important.

After removal of the tumor, a low-grade non-invasive diagnosis is generally treated with a solution into the bladder for a number of treatments plus periodic followup cystocopies to keep an eye on things to watch for any recurrence. Lots of people here have been through the BCG treatments with very good success.

A diagnosis of high-grade means that an identified cancer is deemed aggressive and will likely become invasive into the bladder even if it hasn't yet. Treatment in these cases has to be decided with the patient and doctor whether surgical removal of the bladder is indicated at that time, or if other treatments seem more appropriate before going that route. Each case of bladder cancer is very individualized to a person's particular diagnosis and history.

Remember, this is just general information you can find on many medical websites and at this point doesn't apply to you specifically. You need to focus on the fact that bladder cancer (IF that is your diagnosis) is highly treatable.

Again, welcome and I am sorry you have had to seek us out. I am also saddened to hear about your mother. I'm sure that is an added layer of worry and when you get your path report back, we will help in every way we can to answer questions and share experience we have gained by going through our own journeys.

Best wishes... Catherine

TURBT 1/21/10 at age 55
Dx: T2aN0M0 Primary Bladder Adenocarcinoma
Partial Cystectomy 2/25/10
Vanderbilt Medical Center
Nashville, TN

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10 years 11 months ago #44459 by twinzrock
Recently had TURBT - 5cm tumor removed was created by twinzrock
Hi, I am new to this forum. I am a 48 year old mother of twin girls. I was recently diagnosed with a bladder tumor and just had surgery last friday to have it removed. I go in tomorrow morning to have my catheter removed and they should have the results back from pathology. My question is, what percentage of bladder tumors are cancerous? I am trying to understand invasive from noninvasive, high grade to low grade. But are all bladder tumors cancerous and it just depends on whether they are invasive or non-invasive? I should add that my mother was diagnosed with BC at age 48 and died at age 50. I have never been a smoker so it seems that my situation is just odd circumstances. Any help in understanding this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Tammy

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