Questions about type

6 years 7 months ago #53930 by sara.anne
Replied by sara.anne on topic Questions about type
Like Alan, I would want to know why the urologist would not try BCG? If your husband only had one series, and for a condition which is not always responsive to BCG, there would have to be a good reason NOT to use BCG. There are options which are used either when BCG has failed (and I wouldn't say it failed in your husband's case) or the patient cannot tolerate it. These would include Mitomycin, which is not as effective as BCG, and adding interferon to the BCG which is expensive and has problems of its own. It does not sound as if your urologist is comfortable with bladder cancer....

Sara Anne

Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
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6 years 7 months ago - 6 years 7 months ago #53929 by Alan
Replied by Alan on topic Questions about type
I am chiming to reinforce what Sara Anne wrote. 1st, BCG is a proven agent to battle CIS. I would want to know why another might be preferred and, there might be a reason to. Second, be sure your URO is seeing lots of BC because so many see mostly prostate cases in men. Also, a second opinion would also be good for "fresh" eyes and peace of mind. You really want a good teaching hospital or center that sees lots of BC.

Like Sara Anne I am 9 years free of this so it is treatable and beatable.

DX 5/6/2008 TAG3 papillary tumor .5 CM in size. 2 TURBS followed by 6 instillations of BCG weekly with a second round of 6 after a 6 week wait.

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6 years 7 months ago #53923 by Ddazzle57
Replied by Ddazzle57 on topic Questions about type
Thank you for all the info, Sara Ann! I am so happy to see you have been 9 years cancer free..that is great!

So apparently the first time (you know, the mild one LOL) there were multiple tumors that were low grade. They did use the BCG though.

Now, there is the "flat" area or CIS. The urologist said he wanted to think it over because he might use a different agent other than the BCG? He is supposed to call back and then treatment would begin next week. As I'm sure you know, this is all very confusing and scary! I really appreciate your help!

Kathy

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6 years 7 months ago #53919 by sara.anne
Replied by sara.anne on topic Questions about type
Will try to answer a your questions....and ask some of my own! First, you said that your husband had a "mild" form of bladder cancer? Never quite saw that adjective used to describe bladder cancer :laugh: Are you sure that it wasn't described as "low grade?" And then he was treated with BCG? Usually, BCG is NOT used for low grade bladder cancer unless it returns.

CIS (carcinoma in situ) is a form of transitional cell carcinoma that appears sort of like a rash on the bladder rather than a "mushroom-like" tumor, which is the other form. It is always considered high grade, which means that the cells are rapidly dividing and it has the potential to spread quicker than low grade. Here is a good explanation of CIS

bladdercancersupport.org/diagnoses/carcinoma-in-situ-cis-of-the-urinary-bladder.html

The treatment of choice for CIS which is still confined to the bladder lining is BCG. The usual protocol for this is to have BCG instillations once a week for 6 weeks, then for three weeks every three months until 2 years have passed. I was diagnosed with CIS and underwent this treatment and am now almost 9 years cancer-free! One of the reasons that BCG is normally not given with low grade bladder cancer that has not recurred is that the body does develop a sensitivity to it (that is what is supposed to happen) and, since it is not as effective in low grade, they are sort of "saving" the big guns for when it is really needed.

Has the urologist proposed a treatment plan for the CIS? This might be a really good time for your husband to seek a second opinion for a treatment plan at a center that treats LOTS of bladder cancer. CIS is treatable, but it is not something to fool around with.

Sara Anne

Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
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6 years 7 months ago #53918 by Ddazzle57
Questions about type was created by Ddazzle57
Hi! My husband had a "mild?" form of BC 2 yrs ago and was treated by BGB. Now it has recurred and the doctor called it CIS and said it's an aggressive form. Can some one explain to me what this means, in plain English? Thanks, I'm very worried

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