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BCG Immunotherapy and its effects on other procedures…
Getting ready to start my first BCG treatment on Thurs. I have been getting some good information from this forum and Sara, thanks. I was wondering about other non cancer related procedures coming up and whether the BCG will have adverse effects on these: in particular a tooth implant, a possible hand surgery and some mole removal procedures Does the immune response effect of BCG create problems for my body accepting a tooth implant? Another minor surgery?
Also what are the biggest problems people have with the BCG treatment ? I am thinking of going out of town the week between treatments and was wondering if it is better to stay near the doctor in case of complications? (I have not started yet and it is difficult for me to predict my body’s reactions to the BCG treatment)
I appreciate your time and input. L
8/20 tumor found, 2 TURB with stent, tumor resected from bladder, another portion lasered from ureter, Toa,papillary urothelial carcinoma, non-invasive, high grade, BCG began Oct 22,20209 Replies-
Thank you for this information. Good to hear “tumor free”! Some of the stats I have been reading about recurrence are disheartening, along with the descriptors of the adverse side effects with continued BCG treatments. All frightening to me. Great that you made it through 6 + 6. I am curious what percentage of people with my diagnosis get to keep their bladders??? (non-invasive, high grade, papillary urothelial carcinoma, Toa)
8/20 tumor found, 2 TURB with stent, tumor resected from bladder, another portion lasered from ureter, Toa,papillary urothelial carcinoma, non-invasive, high grade, BCG began Oct 22,2020
There are MANY protocols. What appears to be common is that 6 are a minimum to start and then there deviations that follow. All of them have pluses and minuses (the deviations). I have seen once a month for a year after the first 6. Then there is the SWOG (Dr. Lamm) which is 3 for 3 weeks, go 3 months and repeat until 2 years are up, then 3 every 6 months to year 5 after the first 6. My URO who did study under Dr. Lamm had me do just the 6 plus more. His reasoning was every procedure involves some risk of problems….infection, scarring the urethra, etc. Plus my tumor was singular and while high grade was caught early. All he wanted for me was the 6+6. Most posters that have posted here seem to have problems with increasing irritation to where very few make the 5 year program. That is OK. Getting the first 6 plus whatever one can do after is all a plus and many remain tumor free.
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.
Really helpful, thank you Allan
did you make it all the way through your maintenance BCG? How many?
8/20 tumor found, 2 TURB with stent, tumor resected from bladder, another portion lasered from ureter, Toa,papillary urothelial carcinoma, non-invasive, high grade, BCG began Oct 22,2020
Descriptors? Go to your profile by clicking on your name. In the upper left there is an “edit” link. Pull down and then an edit your profile will show up clicking on it and the middle slide is where you can put signatures. The box to the right is room for a picture.
Travel. The first 6 treatments were not a problem. The next 6 treatments caused issues with urgency and burning. The first day and the next day I simply had to stay close to a restroom….meaning I couldn’t hold the urine for no more than 30-60 seconds….and it could have just been a dribble. The fatigue I could handle. This will be a trial and error as everyone will react differently. Personally, once you hit the maintenance part I wouldn’t plan any expensive trips until you know how your body will react. The weeks off you are probably OK. It is all doable just no fun.
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.
Allan, did you still travel as you might normally do during your BCG treatments or were there times when you decided travel was unwise? (trying to plan some travel in the next few months, just started initial BCG 6 week sessions, maintenance to follow) Also, how do you get the descriptors of your journey under your name in the forum? thank you!
8/20 tumor found, 2 TURB with stent, tumor resected from bladder, another portion lasered from ureter, Toa,papillary urothelial carcinoma, non-invasive, high grade, BCG began Oct 22,2020
Fatigue! The problem is at 12.5 years ago I don’t remember how long and when except I was tired a lot. I still worked and moved on with my life each day. It wasn’t that bad!
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.
Lorraineanne,
Prior to getting one of my maintenance BCG treatments, I was having a tooth issue and called my Urologist to ask if the treatment would have any effect on my BCG. He recommended that I delay my BCG for a week or so because antibiotics could have an effect on the BCG. I delayed a couple of weeks and then had the treatment.
Just thought I would pass this on – you might keep this in mind when you discuss with your physician.
Peace and Love,
Dave
08/16 Blood in Urine;09/16 CT Scan, RPG, Cysto;10/16 TURBT;12/08 BL TURBT;01/17 6X BCG;05/17 NED, 3X BCG, 9/17 NED, 3X BCG,1/18 NED, 3X BCG,7/18 NED, 3X BCG
Thanks Alan. Very helpful. I really appreciate your time. L
(so on the last 6 wks of BCG you mention you were fatigued, were you mostly just fatigued a few days after the weekly treatment, or fatigued all days of the week?)
8/20 tumor found, 2 TURB with stent, tumor resected from bladder, another portion lasered from ureter, Toa,papillary urothelial carcinoma, non-invasive, high grade, BCG began Oct 22,2020
For most of us BCG is a non event. The side effects are numerous and can become more intense but, tolerable. As I am sure you have read these include fatigue, urgency, spasms, burning etc. These are usually cumulative meaning they do become more noticeable and stronger.
Surgeries on a hand and tooth implant probably won’t be a problem being different body systems. However, these DO need to be cleared with those surgeons as none of us are doctors. I usually worked the following day after my first 6 treatments (traveling salesman). The next 6 were different. I did find that I often checked where the nearest restroom was on day 2 as I had 30-60 seconds to use it or….! Everyone will react differently. The 3rd day I was back to “normal”. I laughingly remember after the last 6 for a few months I had customers concerned whether I was losing the battle as it must have been on my face and apparently the fatigue showed. 12.5 years later it is a distant memory.
You are smart to prepare. You will do well and eventually you will put it all behind you. I like to say stronger and more effective in life.
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.Sign In to reply.
