Bladder mass on CT, gross hematuria

4 years 4 months ago #58619 by Alan
Replied by Alan on topic Bladder mass on CT, gross hematuria
The TURB will put the pieces together once you have the pathology report. We still won't know until then if this is low or high grade. Either the way the usual plan is scopes every 3 months, gradually to 6 months and then 12. Yes, no fun. Painful? I describe mine as uncomfortable for maybe 30 seconds realizing it is over in just a few minutes. Everyone has a different sense of pain but, these are all doable. As far as BCG goes, that is also doable. Again no fun and a little more painful and irritating than scope for most. This is way better than systemic chemo, keep that in mind. Doable.

I am right where your Dad was 11.5 years ago and am doing well. He should also do well. He is lucky to have a caregiver such as you to help. Both of you will get through this.

Feel free to post anytime about the good, bad, rants etc.

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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4 years 4 months ago #58618 by Jessica0927
Replied by Jessica0927 on topic Bladder mass on CT, gross hematuria
Well my dad has his cysto today and it confirmed the mass. The doc said 99.9 percent chance it’s superficial papillary bladder cancer. Could be a papilloma but I guess that’s rare. He has to go for a TURBT and then 6 weeks BCG if it’s malignant. They said it’s very very small and superficial. My dad said the cysto was painful. Praying the rest isn’t as painful. He’s on Coumadin for Afib so his case is a bit complicated. Anyone have advice on this type of cancer????? How about the BCG? Side effects??? I’m scared but I kinda mentally prepared myself for this.

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4 years 4 months ago #58566 by Alan
Replied by Alan on topic Bladder mass on CT, gross hematuria
Can't remember where I have it saved but, bladder tumors less than 2 CM are considered small. Concentrate on the fact that you are taking steps to resolve whatever this is and eventually it will be proven to be nothing and if it is something you are taking steps to defeat it!

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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4 years 4 months ago #58565 by Jessica0927
Replied by Jessica0927 on topic Bladder mass on CT, gross hematuria
Wow thanks for the quick replies! I’m super scared and worried for my dad. I appreciate the honest responses. The doctors reaction has us feeling like this is an every day occurrence but it’s different when it’s you. Speaking from all your experience....is a 1.5x0.8 Cm growth small???? His CT scan didn’t show anything else and all his organs look good and no lymphadenopathy which we are relieved. Praying this is benign but also want to be prepared. Waiting is the worst.

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4 years 4 months ago #58564 by sara.anne
Replied by sara.anne on topic Bladder mass on CT, gross hematuria
IF there is a mass of any sort in the bladder, it is likely that the urologist will schedule him for a TURB (transurethral resection of the bladder). This is like cystoscopy, with a small camera placed in the bladder, but it is done under general anesthesia so that the urologist can cut out any tumors he can see and send samples to the pathologist. Only after the report from the pathologist is back will the urologist know for sure if this is cancer and if it is, what the grade (low grade and slow growing or high grade and rapidly growing) and whether it is still confined to the bladder.

All of these factors will determine what kind of treatment, if any, your dad will need.

Sara Anne

Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
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4 years 4 months ago - 4 years 4 months ago #58563 by Alan
Replied by Alan on topic Bladder mass on CT, gross hematuria
Jessica0927,

Welcome. I always am gratified to see so many children of parents become actively involved when there are health issues. You will never regret the effort speaking from one that experienced this 10+ years ago with my own parents. You always deserve the pat on the back!

Advice? You and your URO are taking all the right steps. I have learned that you won't really know ANYTHING until the cystoscopy is done to see what that small mass might be. If it is something to biopsy there will be an additional next step via a transurethral resection (TURB) as a short day surgery. Even then you won't really know anything until a pathology is done. This is a one day at a time kind of thing which is easy for me to say where I am at now. Any guess will simply be a guess and OFTEN wrong.

Let's just hope and pray the scope shows no need to go any further. Keep posting as you go, someone will be listening and respond. step

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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