Confused on tumors

11 years 6 months ago #43148 by mmc
Replied by mmc on topic Confused on tumors
It makes no sense to use BCG if you don't have cancer. BCG is actually most effective on CIS (an aggressive surface layer form of bladder cancer). If you tumors were not cancerous you should say yipee!!!

Consider yourself pretty darn lucky even if you do have more non-cancerous tumors come back.

It can be a nuisance getting scoped. Will they keep coming back? Maybe. A lot depends on what they are. As Catherine said, get your pathology report to see what it says. Talk to the doctor (whichever one you see) with the pathology report in your hand. Ask him/her if they are going to just keep coming back and what the risk is for actual cancer.

Congratulations on not having cancer!

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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11 years 6 months ago #43147 by CatherineH
Replied by CatherineH on topic Confused on tumors
Hello... I can definitely see why you are frustrated with the differing opinions of various doctors. There may be a confusion of terminology between them. Unfortunately, there are too many urologists that aren't experts on bladder cancer.

The term "superficial" tumor is used a lot (they are moving away from that term since it seems to trivialize the seriousness of it). It can still be cancerous. Removing them generally leaves the patient cancer free... until another comes back. The purpose of BCG treatments is to attempt to prevent recurrences.

To really know what is going on in your situation, you need to ask for copies (if you haven't already done so) of your pathology reports and any other surgery reports that are in your case history. You have a right to them but I've noticed most offices don't offer copies unless the patient asks for it.

Perhaps after looking at those, some of us here can help you better understand what is going on with you. Often you have to know what you want from the doctor as far as treatment and be assertive in getting it. I would inquire again about the BCG when you go back next time. It has helped many of our members here. Understanding your pathology diagnosis will help greatly to know if that is right for you.

Best wishes... Catherine

TURBT 1/21/10 at age 55
Dx: T2aN0M0 Primary Bladder Adenocarcinoma
Partial Cystectomy 2/25/10
Vanderbilt Medical Center
Nashville, TN

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11 years 6 months ago #43144 by gnilaeh
Confused on tumors was created by gnilaeh
Will tumors constantly pop up the rest of your life even tho they are not cancerous? I had my 3rd tumor removal last july and will be scoped in october. I have a crappy health care system where I never see the same doctor twice. The guy the did the last surgery said we should look into starting a bcg program. I go in for the follow up and the next doctor that i told what the surgery dr. said says no. thats only if you have cancer. My tumor wasnt cancerous.

So I am confused as always. So will i always have tumors?

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