Second bout of noninvasive bladder cancer in a year

Darla,

A couple of thoughts and questions. Your situation has specifics that may be different from those in the studies that produce recommendations. The link at the end is to a LONG article that discusses specifics.

BCG has been shown to be more effective when a 6 week induction course is followed with a maintenance program that begins 3 months after the induction course. However, we are all in our unique situations.

So, question, how soon after the first round of BCG did tumors reappear, and might maintenance doses of BCG prevented the recurrence ?

Adding interferon to a second induction course is commonly used, and again maintenance has been shown to improve the outcome.

Second question, Does your doc plan to continue with maintenance doses of BCG ?

Expert consensus document - use of BCG for bladder cancer
www.nature.com/nrurol/journal/v12/n4/full/nrurol.2015.58.html

The article cover issues including : Optimal schedule and duration of BCG therapy, Definition of BCG failure, Options after BCG failure. There is a lot to read, but you may find relevant passages to your situation - and you can then discuss the authors opinions with your doctor.

Best,
Jack

This is the second time that I have been treated for noninvasive bladder cancer.....first time was with bcg alone and it did take care of it....second time they told me that it was caused by a polyp and was in a different spot and was treated with bcg and interferon....waiting now for the 6 week checkup to see if it worked......I asked doctor what happens if it returns again and he said that they would have to evaluate it at that time but they do not treat it again with bcg....I am confused as to why if it worked the first time....how many times can they treat it with same medicine...any info would help me