Worried...

Hi all,

My father started BCG treatment yesterday. No major side effects yet, so he's quite content.

Only my brother and I know about the fact the doctors didn't use fluorescence to perform surgery and we can't help but to worry about this. We have decided not to inform my parents of this catastrophe, because it wouldn't do any good.

If my father's T1 G3 tumours were so widespread (all over the bladder and what they call "the prostatic urethra":

1. How can anyone be sure no tumours have been left behind (especially when the visibility under the traditional white light is reduced)?

2. Is BCG enough of a treatment to deal with these residues or should my father have been observed (through cystoscopy) again prior to starting treatment?

In other words, if there are still tumours in the bladder/urether shouldn't they be removed prior to BCG?

Dear Ginger, thanks for your post. What do you mean exactly when you say "keep a watchful eye with treatment"? Are there any danger signs we should be watchful about?

Many thanks to all

Gabriel

Rosemary there is no more G2 you are either G1 or G3 they cut out the middle grade and they were talking about changing this awhile back the Stages are still the same. Cheers, Joe

Gabriel,

Its great you'll remain in the superficial category. At this point no r/c. Just keep a watchful eye, with treatment. Let us know whats up!! Ginger

Dear all,

My brother spoke with the doctor today and got this information:

- It's T1 G3.

- They didn't use the flourescent light during the surgery.

We now have proper data to send off for a second opinion and we are upset we were not informed about the flourescent light not being used during surgery (for it was promised and we could have gone elsewhere to get it done properly).

Like wsilberstein, we're also very concerned about the prostate... I'll speak with my brother and add more info later.

Thanks to all

Gabriel

Dear Gabriel,
     If the tumors are high grade, I would take that to be the equivalent of grade 3. If they are non-invasive, I would interpret that to be the same as stage Ta or T1. The only thing that concerns me is the infiltration of the prostatic ducts. I would want to know if that can be successfuly treated without removing the prostate.
     Once sutured closed bladder perforations usually heal without a great deal of difficulty. I'm not sure how much monitoring is needed. The perforation had to be dealt with immediately or urine would be draining into the abdomen.
     The pathologist cannot soften the report. It is part of the medical record and would be useless if it were not accurate. If you got a copy of the actual report, it should tell the whole story. I cannot imagine what purpose filing an alternative report would serve. It would be highly illegal in the USA

Gabriel,

I suggest for your father to get the Path report and the slides and have them sent to Mainland Spain for a second look. It seems to me it would be beneficial to see if another Dr. at a major cancer center agrees with the course of action that this Dr. wants to proceed with. If he does great. If he doesn't, your father may still be able to get whatever treatment is recommended close to home, but the guidance would be coming from the larger facility. You have a bit of time to get this done as he doesn't want to start treatments for a month.

I still suggest getting scans done to check for any further spread...

Gabriel, just have him get a second opinion regardless if it is in the Canaries, or Spain...
I always tell people that they wouldn't buy the first car or house they look at, why buy the first opinion?? Always check, then double check, do research, It could be that the first one was the best, but being a good consumer means seeing what else is out there.

.·:*¨¨*:·.Karen.·:*¨¨*:·.