My mother, 79, with CIS that has been resistant to BCG and a second round of BCG with Interferon, had biopsies done today at Vanderbilt by Dr. Chang. She is scheduled to have her bladder removed 6/13. Just before the procedure today, Dr. Chang told her based on her age, he didn't know if he'd rush to remove her bladder. She met with him a few weeks ago and he planned to remove her bladder, and scheduled her for the r/c surgery (I think he was rushed, didn't fully review her records, and just scheduled the biopsies and r/c). She's five hours away, my father is with her - he is reporting this to me. My father said after the biopsies, Dr. Chang said he saw "some stuff" in her upper bladder, but again said he didn't think he'd rush to R/C but just "watch". I don't know if what he saw was superficial tumors or patches of CIS, Dad gets stressed and gets medical stuff mixed up. I assumed he removed whatever it was - biopsy results will be back in 7-8 days.
Although it would be great for her not to have r/c if it's not necessary, I'm confused as r/c is normally the treatment that I have read about when CIS is resistant to treatment! Also, I fear by waiting, she will simply face R/C when she's older, and less strong (and otherwise healthy). Other than high blood pressure and high cholestoral (which she is medicated for), she is very healthy and active. Previously, she also consulted a Urologist at Wake Forest (Dr. Kader), who basically said what Dr. Change is saying (watch and wait).
Has protocol changed very recently on this?
KC
