Almost Made It 2 Years -- Then Recurrence

4 years 11 months ago #57235 by sara.anne
Replied by sara.anne on topic Almost Made It 2 Years -- Then Recurrence
It depends (don't you hate that answer?) IF it comes back once or twice, is still low grade and easily removed during the TURB that is probably what most urologists would recommend. IF it returns high grade or keeps returning, the urologist may have other recommendations, including BCG or cystectomy.

Since it appears that your new tumor is very small and can be easily removed, we will hope that this is the very last one!!

Sara Anne

Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator

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4 years 11 months ago #57234 by RJake1
Replied by RJake1 on topic Almost Made It 2 Years -- Then Recurrence
Thanks, Sara. As a moderator you do a great job. I'm sure it requires a lot of patience as most of us posting are a bit anxious about things.

Another question: If biopsy comes back LG, is the usual course of treatment simply 3-6 month scopes, and anytime there's a recurrence of LG remove it, then its back to the 3-6 month scope until the next recurrence? Wash, rinse, and repeat? As always, I appreciate any insight you or other posters can offer. Thanks again!

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4 years 11 months ago #57233 by sara.anne
Replied by sara.anne on topic Almost Made It 2 Years -- Then Recurrence
I think that as a moderator on this forum I tend to be cautious in my replies . I certainly didn’t mean that I thought that your cancer had spread but if it had then BCG would not be an option.

For everyone such as yourself who posts questions and answers on the forum there are many more who simply read for information and never ask a question. Therefore most of us try to cover all the options in our answers.

Sara Anne

Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator

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4 years 11 months ago #57231 by RJake1
Replied by RJake1 on topic Almost Made It 2 Years -- Then Recurrence
Thank you. What do you mean by "has not spread"?

My first diagnosis was primarily low grade but they did not a very small focal point that they characterized as HG. Very tiny though so they apparently treated it as LG.

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4 years 11 months ago #57230 by sara.anne
Replied by sara.anne on topic Almost Made It 2 Years -- Then Recurrence
You should be glad that the doctor decided to do the biopsy and tumor removal under anesthesia I once had a very small biopsy taken in his office and I would never do that again ! I think where you go from here depends upon the results of the biopsy. I’m also of the opinion that whether or not you had mitomycin has nothing to do with the recurrence. As you have probably read, bladder cancer has a habit of recurring which is why patients such as yourself are scheduled for such frequent exams.

Many patients have had recurrences of low-grade bladder cancer and never had another one If your recurrence is high grade but has not spread BCG is still an option I have heard recently that the shortage isn’t as bad as first advertised . If BCG is not available there are other options that you can discuss with your urologist.

Evidently your first occurrence was low grade. BCG is usually not used in this case . It is saved for those situations in which the cancer returns or it becomes high grade .

At this point you just have to wait until the results of the biopsy are back.

Wishing you all the best.

Sara Anne

Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator

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4 years 11 months ago #57228 by RJake1
Just when I was feeling good, today's cysto (6 month) revealed a small growth described by Dr. as a flat growth (not tumor). It had been 22 months since first diagnosed. Doc was going to to remove it in the office but decided against it and will do at hospital which has better equipment.


My question is what should I expect/request this time? First first tubdt nearly 2 years ago it was removed and I was not given any medication. Perhaps if I had been given some type it would have prevented recurrence? Should I request medication this time and if so, what, considering BCG seems to be non-existant? Any other advice?


Thank you.

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