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Anxiety regarding upcoming cystoscope
I really dislike moaning and groaning since there are a lot of people who are dealing with bladder cancer in worse ways than I have had to but I am a nervous wreck!! Having this cystoscope has me out of my mind with what if’s!! I am still having issues with pain and urgency. It has been a month since my last BCG treatment. I can’t stop thinking about it!! Is this normal? I am making myself crazy.
Thank you for letting me vent!
Carol 58
Stage 1 gr 3 CIS
Diag April 26th 2014
2 turns
6 BCG treatments -
11 Replies
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Sheila,
First let me say welcome. You are in my prayers!! This is not an easy process for you nor any of us who have been diagnosed. I remember all to well like it was yesterday. This website is the best place for knowledge and support. I will be praying for you!! Keep us posted.
Carol58
DX April 2014 5cm tumor
Stage 1 Grade 3 BC
2 turbts
6 bcg treatments -
Ann,
Thank you very much!! I did get my biopsy results back and they were negative!! So my anxiety has been relieved. However, the office did not mention anything about the Fish test that they did. I guess I will ask when I go back for my next cystoscope in January. I will start another round of BCG after that visit. So for now I’m going to stay positive and try not to think about anything. If only my bladder would stop misbehaving. I have severe frequent urination and pain still, especially at night and I am on a medication to help but it is not helping. I probably shouldn’t complain as it could be worse.
God bless and thanks again Ann!!
Carol 58
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Hi Carol,
I pulled this off the internet,
FISH Testing from Urine Samples May Predict Risk of Cancer Progression in Patients with Superficial Bladder CancerFISH Testing from Urine Samples May Predict Risk of Cancer Progression in Patients with Superficial Bladder Cancer
According to a recent article published in the Journal of Urology , laboratory testing (referred to as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)) from a urine sample in patients with superficial bladder cancer may help predict a patient’s response to therapy, as well as their risk of developing more advanced disease. Patients who are at an increased risk of progressive cancer may wish to undergo more aggressive therapy than their counterparts.
Bladder cancer is a common cancer, with approximately 55,000 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year. Superficial bladder cancer refers to cancer that remains localized within the outermost (most superficial) layers of the bladder and has not spread to deeper layers of the bladder. Patients with superficial bladder cancer are routinely treated with surgical removal of the cancer followed by additional (adjuvant) therapy to decrease the risk of recurrent cancer or progression to more invasive disease. Despite standard treatment, many patients with superficial bladder cancer experience a recurrence of their cancer. Following the removal of the cancer, patients with superficial bladder cancer are usually treated with adjuvant intravesicle chemotherapy (placement of the drug directly into the bladder), which often consists of mitomycin C or Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG). While this therapy is beneficial, recurrences are common, and a substantial portion of patients will ultimately develop more advanced disease. Therefore, patients undergo routine and sometime frequent monitoring, often in the form of a cystoscopy, a procedure in which a lighted tube is inserted into the bladder. Due to the invasiveness of this procedure, as well as the time and financial commitments for patients to undergo cystoscopies, researchers are evaluating other ways in which to monitor recurrences or predict patients who are at a high risk of developing more advanced disease. These patients may wish to undergo more aggressive therapies to reduce their risks and improve their long-term outcomes.
Researchers from the Mayo Clinic recently conducted a clinical trial to evaluate the accuracy of FISH testing of urine samples in patients with superficial bladder cancer. FISH testing includes laboratory measures to determine if specific abnormal cells are present in the urine. This trial included 37 patients with superficial bladder cancer who were undergoing intravesicle therapies with BCG or other therapies. Urine samples and FISH testing were performed prior to therapy, as well as following therapy, and were compared to results of standard testing procedures. Post-therapy FISH results included 25 patients with normal (negative) results and 12 patients with detection of abnormal cells (positive results). All patients with positive post-therapy FISH results experienced a cancer recurrence, while only 13 of the 21 patients with negative post-therapy FISH results experienced a cancer recurrence. Importantly, patients with a positive post-therapy result were at a 9.4-fold increased risk for developing more advanced (muscle-invasive) bladder cancer and 75% of patients with positive FISH results both pre- and post-therapy eventually developed muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
The researchers concluded that FISH testing of urine samples in patients with superficial bladder cancer undergoing intravesicle therapy can help predict the risk of a cancer recurrence or the risk of developing a more advanced form of cancer. Patients at a high risk of developing more advanced cancer may wish to undergo more aggressive therapy in the hopes of improving long-term outcomes. Patients with superficial bladder cancer may wish to speak with their physician about the risks and benefits of participating in a clinical trial further evaluating urinary FISH testing or other non-invasive screening methods. Two sources of information regarding ongoing clinical trials include the National Cancer Institute (cancer.gov) and http://www.cancerconsultants.com. Personalized clinical trial searches are also performed on behalf of patients at cancerconsultants.com.Hope this helps you understand the test.
Regards,
Anne -
Wish I could give u sum info I’m currently as we speak getting my scope done waitin my my dr in the hospital now who’s running late..
Had cat scan done after 2 months of what thought was uti infections meds didn’t wk had cat scan found thongs in my bladder & here I am .. idk what to think or expect what is my chances it’s just stones. . I hope ur news was good.. God bless -
The FISH test is a cell test that is usually done for prostate cancer. i guess it can be used for bc.
It measures cancer cells. If the number is too high, then they have to look further.
I have a FISH test each time I go in for my annual checkup at the urologist.This is normal. Don’t be alarmed by it
George
Light a man a fire and he is warm for an evening.
Light a man ON fire and he’s warm forever.08/08/08…RC neo bladder
09/09/09…New Hip
=
New Man! [/size]
Carol,
The FISH test is an abbreviation for a urine test to see if there abnormal cells. It often can give false positives thus the cystoscope is almost always done in conjunction. Cytology and/or FISH just gives you more information.
DX 5/6/2008 TAG3 papillary tumor .5 CM in size. 2 TURBS followed by 6 instillations of BCG weekly with a second round of 6 after a 6 week wait.
Thank you Alan, Anita and George!
I feel blessed to have found this website! I am still trying to keep a positive attitude in regards to the biopsies yesterday. What I don’t understand is the Fish test. Is that standard? What is it used for? If anyone can elaborate it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and God Bless!
Carol58
DX 4/26/2014
Stage 1 Gr 3 BC
2 turbs
6 BCG instillments
Thoughts
Your anxiety is normal. So normal that people don’t go to the Dr because they are afraid of the answers more than being sick. Weird but normal.So. Lets talk about the possible things that will come up.
1) Bladder irritation from BCG…… Yaaay! no big deal
2) Bladder infection…….. take drugs. get better
3) Bladder cancer…… Ugh! Worst news! But we have been there and are still here.So when you put it all into perspective….. you are right to be afraid. But you are going to beat this! Getting the Dr involved and moving aggressivly is scary but it will help you survive in the long run
George
Light a man a fire and he is warm for an evening.
Light a man ON fire and he’s warm forever.08/08/08…RC neo bladder
09/09/09…New Hip
=
New Man! [/size]
Hi All!!
It is me again!! I just had my cystoscope this morning. I was expecting “All Clear” but that did not happen. I had to have some biopsies performed. I was not ready to hear that nor have it as it was a suspicious looking. Youch!!!! The Dr. also performed a FISH test. I am not sure quite what that means. Dr. also stated that the bladder was irritated and could be the reason why I am having so much trouble with pain.
Any thoughts??
Thanks to all and have a blessed Day!!
Carol58
Dx 4/26/14
Stage 1 grade 3 BC
6 BCG instillments
Pain and urgency sounds maybe like an UTI! I am given STRONG antibiotics after mine as we seem to stir up nasty’s every time. Let your URO know!
Anxiety, sounds normal! Me too! Focus if you can that it is quick and visualize a good report! I just had my annual (6 1/2 years since DX) and thankfully all is well. I never look forward to it but, I categorize the test as “uncomfortable” as he passes through the prostate. It is not really painful although everyone handles it differently. I figure if this is the worst I have on this for the rest of my life so be it. Good luck and hoping for an all clear!
DX 5/6/2008 TAG3 papillary tumor .5 CM in size. 2 TURBS followed by 6 instillations of BCG weekly with a second round of 6 after a 6 week wait.
You sound normal to me! Sorry that you are still having pain and urgency. That is no fun. Have you been taking any pyridium to relax your bladder? Hope your appointment goes well and that all of your what if’s can be tossed from your mind.
Anita
Anita
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