Newly Diagnosed w/ T1-G3 Tumor...Terrified!

12 years 10 months ago #37836 by Herb
Had 3 TURBs, BGC, Chemo and RC on 9/11/10 --- The terror will pass and you will then take a journey that most on here have gone through --- I like others are sorry for your diagnosis but glad you were somehow led here --- you will have many questions along the way and the folks on here will help.

I am a 72 year old retired priest, which does not make me special in any way however, I have learned that faith can and does make a difference --- yes, there will be the fear mixed maybe with some doubts, yes there will be pain along the way but there is strength that can come and will come --- and you will know --- you do not take this walk alone! As a priest I say openly say 'Cancer Sucks' but I am still here and will continue to continue --- and so will you.

Take Care, Herb†

Age 72 had radical 9/11/10 have conduit everything is fine, grateful to be a cancer survivor. Lost Dad and Brother to Cancer both in their 50's.

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12 years 10 months ago #37831 by Flamenco.
Replied by Flamenco. on topic Newly Diagnosed w/ T1-G3 Tumor...Terrified!
Hi,
I was also diagnosed T1G3 Nov 2006, and after TURB had treatment into the bladder with Mytomycin - have just passed the 4 and a half year mark all clear,am not currently on any medication or treatment for cancer and life is good.I still have my bladder at the moment, and have to go for regular checks, but that is a small price to pay for peace of mind. And thanks to all the great people on this site, if the day comes that I have a recurrence that requires major surgery, I know I will have the best support network in the world. You will get through this -
Diane

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12 years 10 months ago #37814 by Wayno
Hi
I saw your note... I also was diagnosed with T1 G3 in aug 2009.. My only clue was gross hematuria. I am a nurse by profession and for some crazy reason I thought I "should be " exempt
Cancer is an equal opportunity offender
I had a TURBT in september followed by 6 BCG treatments stating in january. Other than the discomfort of the catheter insertion the treatments were not too uncomfortable..In six monthe I had a repeat TURBT and still was not clear..After another 6 BCG's I cleared.... But the more my bladder saw the BCG ( the second series ) the more irritable my bladder became.. But it was toterable.... One year later I am doing 3 maintenence BCG treatments every 6 months with office cystos in between....

And NO-ONE is talking about taking out my Bladder

Hang in there You do get used to living your like in 4 month blocks after awhile

wayno
.

TCCA T1G3 Diagnosed 8/2009
TURBP 9/2009
6 BCG with Re-occurence 6 more BCG .clean2010
Maint BCG x3

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12 years 11 months ago #37386 by mmc
Steve,

When I posted my original response in this thread I was somehow thinking you were Ta, not T1. Been a long week and working lots of hours.

Now that I realize it was T1 (suppose I should read the darn headings-huh?) my response would be different.

Read that link above.

If it were me, with T1, I'd go for RC. You obviously are the only one that can make that decision for you.

I personally favor aggressive treatment. When I had my first recurrence of CIS, I had already made up my mind to go for RC. The TURBT showed it to be T2 anyway so there was no question at that point. I had my RC about 2.5 years ago now and am happy I did!

Sorry for any confusion I may have caused from my very first response. It's not like you aren't already confused enough--you have me coming along and making worse. My apologies.

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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12 years 11 months ago #37385 by mmc
Steve,

You might find this useful information. KC actually posted it some time back when somebody else was in a similar situation to you.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684254/

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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12 years 11 months ago - 12 years 11 months ago #37384 by kcnorthstar
Replied by kcnorthstar on topic Newly Diagnosed w/ T1-G3 Tumor...Terrified!
Steve,
Sorry that you have to be going through this. First you have to realize that a diagnoses of T1 G3 is very treatable and has a high cure rate. I am glad to hear that you are at least considering
both conservative and aggressive treatments. (BCG vs RC) There are pros and cons to both. The standard treatment is BCG and close follow up. I was diagnosed with T1B G3 almost 5 years ago. the T1B indicates what the pathologist called a very deep T1. I had 2 tumors both of which were T1B. I saw 4 different urologogists and all of them recommended BCG, but when I asked about RC all agreed that it was not out of the question as a treatment and it was my choice. I chose RC. I have a Neobladder and have no regrets. My life has not been changed in any way by having a neobladder. It was a gut wrenching experience trying to decide on going with BCG or RC. The post by jj803 shows the dilema of T1 G3. JJ's initial TUR was diagnosed as T1 and the follow up TUR verified T1. he chose RC and after his bladder was removed it was T2. In his case he made the correct choice. My advice to you would be Google T1G3 and read as much as you can. there are lots of studies and statistics out there. Then you can make a informed decision on whats right for you. In your favour is the fact that you have one relatvly small tumor. Acording to most studies I read, this improves the success rate of BCG. Choosing BCG is not without risks, but RC is a Major operation and has its own risks.Above all it is criical that you go to a Major medical center and are treated by a urologist specialzing in bladder cancer. I wish you the best in what ever treatment you decide on and remember that T1G3 bladder cancer is very treatable cancer with a high cure rate.

KC

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

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