Prostate and bladder cancer

14 years 3 weeks ago #30667 by kcnorthstar
Replied by kcnorthstar on topic Prostate and bladder cancer
Frank,

Looks like you have several different inputs already into your diagnosis, thats a good thing, but my question would be how many pathologists have reviewed your tumor specimins? Pathology is more art than science, so if I were you I would get at least one more pathologist involved. That is if you have not already done that.

KC

Age 59
DX Jan 2006 - T1B G3
RC - Neobladder June 2006

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14 years 3 weeks ago #30666 by fathersson
Replied by fathersson on topic Prostate and bladder cancer
Hello All,

Thank you so much for all of the feedback. So as to clarify: I have seen 3 urologist/surgeons . The one I have chosen is highly regarded by his peers and teaches robotic surgery to his fellow physicians at a highly regarded cancer center. A true innovator who is in with a group of 8-10 fellow urologists, surgeons and oncologists. Perhaps one of the best things I have going for me is i have three relatives who are long time RNS who checked with their physician friends as to "who" I should see regarding my dual cancers. Almost all recommended the Dr. I am seeing so I am feeling good about that. I believe I am in good hands. That said, my intent is to learn as much as I can ( and question things to when needed) so I am best able to fight this disease. From what I have read, I believe I have come to a good place.

Best,

Frank

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14 years 3 weeks ago #30663 by Patricia
Replied by Patricia on topic Prostate and bladder cancer
what came first the chicken or the egg?
tinyurl.com/yads9n9
(hope that works)
Definately seek a second opinion and we can help you do that.
pat

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14 years 3 weeks ago #30654 by mmc
Replied by mmc on topic Prostate and bladder cancer
Frank,

I second KC's comment about getting a 2nd opinion. I don't even consider as much of a 2nd opinion as I do getting to a "specialist".

Prostate: Tons of specialists and specialty hospitals.
Bladder: Fewer.

If you go to a bladder cancer specialist, he/she will almost certainly also have high expertise in prostate cancer. The same cannot be said for prostate specialists.

It could very well be that "watchful waiting" is the right approach but it is typically recommended to get a reTURBT within about 6 weeks to ensure that there are good margins, that they got it all, and that the pathology is correct.

There are significant cases of understaging that wind up being caught at major bladder cancer centers.

Even if the docs come back and say the same exact thing that your uro is saying, it at least gives you the piece of mind and you can continue going to your local uro for follow up.

Both cancers are different and need to be treated differently.

Best of luck in your treatment.

Mike

Age 54
10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
1/2014 ct scan results....distant mets
2/2014 ct result...spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph...

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14 years 3 weeks ago #30653 by kcnorthstar
Replied by kcnorthstar on topic Prostate and bladder cancer
Frank,

Low grade superficial bladder cancer is not life threatening. It does however require close follow up and survelance. I also know of people who have low grade prostate cancer and they also are just under close follow up as it progresses so slowly. One thing you might want to consider is to get a second opinion from a major medical center that specializes in cancer. I dont know where you live, but Im sure the people on this site would be glad to recommend one that is the closest to you.

KC

Age 59
DX Jan 2006 - T1B G3
RC - Neobladder June 2006

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14 years 3 weeks ago #30623 by fathersson
Prostate and bladder cancer was created by fathersson
Hi,

I am a 57 year old who was diagnosed with low grade/volume prostate cancer on December 23rd 2009. Due to the insistance of my RN family members, I pushed my doc into bone and CT scans. Thank goodness all was clear except for a small 2 CM tumor in my bladder. It was removed during a TU resection on February 5th. My new doc tells me neither cancer is life threatening and that the bladder cancer was a very low grade superficial tumor. He has elected not to "flush" my bladder with the treatments at this time.. He also said that prostate and bladder are seperate cancers. I see him again for a recheck in early May at which time I may have the robotic prostate surgery. Any comments would be most appreciated.

Thx,

Frank

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