Maintenance BCG

I thought the efficacy of maintenance BCG was definitely confirmed and well-accepted. However, I haven't researched it alll that closely, and it may depend on the type, grade, and stage of the blc. Here's a quote from Dr. Lamm:

"Simply stated, BCG reduces long-term recurrence by 20% compared to chemotherapy, and maintenance BCG reduces long-term recurrence by 25% relative to standard BCG. BCG reduces disease progression compared with surgery or surgery plus chemotherapy, and maintenance BCG results in a further significant reduction in progression."

The quote is from a long article on the blc Web Cafe site, and there are links to the various studies citing the value of BCG maintenance: blcwebcafe.org/content/view/112/122/lang,english/

I completed the 6-week course of BCG in July & had a cysto today - all clear, thank goodness. I asked my uro about whether I was to receive maintenance BCG, and he said he hadn't decided - apparently the efficacy of maintenance BCG is currently controversial. Has anyone else heard that?

Best of luck with your maintenance round. I'm following along behind you by several months, and am just finishing the first 6 weeks (knock wood, no side effects at all so far). The nurse at my uro's office who does the instillations told me (when I asked about side effects) that she hadn't seen too many people have much in the way of side effects, and the few that did seem to have had only mild symptoms (e.g., frequency of urination, some burning, brief bleeding). Interestingly, she also said that from what she'd seen, those that had side effects tended to get them during later maintenance rather than in the first 6 treatments. Be sure to ask for medication (or a prescription to fill) in case you do get any symptoms during this next set of treatments. (For your own peace of mind, even if you don't need to take anything.)

Don't you just love people who have to rain on your parade?!

I don't think he needed to say that.

He should let you know that, "It's not guaranteed that you won't have any issues, but it also isn't guaranteed that you will have any issues. Let's just hope for the best."

So, go back to the conversation, insert the above words into your recollection of the conversation.

Best of luck! Some people breeze through it or just have mild issues.

Mike