Nervous Dad!

Shaz,

I don't know the PRECISE answer to that question.

My doctor did a TURB and he also "cauterized" the area where he removed the tumor. I always assumed that this was fulguration.

Anybody?

Rosemary

Thanks Pat and Rosemary. I live in Milwaukee, WI. I think I have a good URO but you never know. I checked with my primary doc and he said he would feel very comfortable with my URO. There is a teaching hospital here with some good docs. My thought was to get this done and find out exactly what I have. If needed, If it's T1 or higher, I would add seek another opinion and add some more members to my team. My procedure is scheduled for 8/1

What's the difference between a TUR and a cysto with fulguration? Many thanks for your kind words and help

Shaz..in what part of the country are you? Has your uro had a lot of experience with bladder tumors and you want to make sure you have a top notch pathologist.
This type of thing always comes out of the blue with blood in the urine and absolutely no indication health wise that a thing was wrong. I will just relate my experience ....i was in such a panic with gross hematura that i went with the first uro recommended. The cysto i had made it look like it was nothing...a tiny singular papillary tumor.....NOT....it was Stage 2 T2.. and muscle invasive. .After getting my wits about me i made the decision to go to Memorial Sloan a top facility for bladder cancer and to Dr. Harry Herr. They got me in within a week of calling and Dr. Herr insisted on a second TURB. He went in and found the first Uro did not get the margins which could have been really big trouble. I'm not saying this to alarm you....i just want to make sure you are in extremely capable hands and its always prudent to get that second opinion anyway. As for the Mitomycin issue....Memorial will not use it on a first turb as you don't know how much you will have to scrape plus it may not be necessary. I wish you the very best.........Pat

Dear Dad,

As far as I know, this is the ONLY treatment for 1st time occurrance. You really need to get that tumor out of you and have it biopsied. Low grade TCC is the best dx to hope for, but I personally wouldn't want to rely on a dr's naked eye to draw that conclusion.

As you probably know, the specimen will be sent to a Patholgist for Stage and Grade.
The path report will tell you if the tumor has invaded any of the bladder layers and will also tell the grade of progression.

You may or may not be receiving a dose of Mitomycin C after your TURB. You might want to ask your Urologist if there is any plan for this chemo treatment. Some doctors will use the Mitomycin and some will not.

I was 53 when diagnosed in 2006, never smoked and was in the finest pitch of health. I had a follow up TURB 6 weeks after the initial TURB to check for residual tumor, which the doctor did find. I received a dose of Mitomycin C at that time also.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask and we will be happy to help you in any way we can.

I know you are nervous. I was very nervous, too..

Your new BC friend,
Rosemary

I was recently diagnosed ( at an office cysto) with a 1cm bladder tumor that appears to have fine papillary features. It looks like it is most likely low-grade TCC. I am 45, never smoked, exercise and am in good health. I am scheduled for a cysto with fulguration and biopsy next week. I just wanted to check if this is the correct 1st step treatment. This was a surprise to me but I am glad I had it checked after I noticed blood in my urine following a jog. I have two young children and am nervous! Many thanks for any advice and help.