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BCG treatment
I am going to start BCG treatment would like information from others that have had this treatment
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48 Replies
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Thanks for posting. Everyone learns from each of us. Plus, I like to read about success.
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.
Today is my one year anniversary of my first TURBT surgery and my non muscle Invasive Squamous cell cainoma bladder diagnoses. Since this diagnosis I have been thru 9 BCG treatment and two scoping with no cancer recurrence. I lost over 25 pounds of weight thru a walking exercising program I started over the last year. As of today I feel great and my fitness level is the best it has been in years. I look at my Bladder Cancer as just another bump in the road in my life. It’s just another fight I must do.I figured if I listened to my first doctor I would have already had a radical cystectomy because that was considered the standard treatment for this type of bladder cancer. So a second opinion is always important. As I continue my BCG treatment in May I look at it just as one more step to my final outcome. Cancer free. I remember something my father told me. Put your faith in God’s hands and everything will be ok. So I will always thank God each day for my health and I will stride to be a better person.
My PSA went up with BCG. Mine stayed under 4.0 but the velocity of change concerned me. My Uro/ONC confirmed that BCG can cause the PSA to jump up.
Thank sounds good my PSA went up 5.9 and my last BCG treatment was 19 Jan way short of 3 month.
This came from the Nationall Institute of Health:
Results: We observed elevated PSA in 27 men (75%) during BCG treatment, of whom 15 (41.6%) had a clinically significant elevation. Overall average PSA increased from 1.3 ng./ml. before BCG instillation to 3.8 during treatment (range 0.1 to 21.5, p <0.0001). In those with a clinically significant elevation average PSA increased from 2.31 ng./ml. at baseline to 6.97 during treatment (p <0.0001) and returned to 3.86 ng./ml. 3 months after treatment. Palpation demonstrated prostatic findings in 10 patients, including firm nodules in 7, while there was significantly elevated PSA in 5 with firm nodules and 2 with diffuse prostatic enlargement. Histological examination of the prostate in 10 patients was diagnostic for granulomatous prostatitis, nonspecific inflammation and benign prostatic hyperplasia in 3, 3 and 4, respectively, of whom none had prostate cancer.Conclusions: Intravesical BCG therapy is associated with significantly elevated PSA in up to 40% of cases. This effect is self-limited and PSA reverts to normal in 3 months. Therefore, we suggest that prostate biopsy be withheld in such patients and PSA monitored.
Hello I have a question. Does BCG treatment cause your PSA level to go up. I just had a updated blood test and my PSA level is high. Less in a year ago I had a Pet Scan and MRi with no cancer.
I also have started a exercising program which I did a hard 5 mile brisk walk less then 24 hr before the blood test.
Hello, I really like hearing from you and Clyde. You give me hope. Tomorrow is my 6th BCG Treatment and as you know I have a break. I get a scope in 3 weeks and then Doc will tell me how it went. I am hoping that in about 2 to 3 years I can say what Clyde is saying. I am greatful for all your posts. Hopefully in a couple of years my posts will inspire some newbees too. Thanks. Eddie S.
Hello everyone Just thought I give a update on my treatment. Just finish my first maintenance treatment with really no side effects just a lot of blood for a while for the first 4 hour after treatment. My second scoping can out good. In April it will be one year clean. I have noticed that by adding a exercising program to my treatment it has help me so far. I lost over 16 pound of weight by walking 5 mile a day at fast pace over the last few months.
I am going to tried everything possible to prevent this cancer from coming back Will started second maintenance treatment in May this year and put it God hand .
Thank for information One thing I didn’t mention I also started a exercising program walking 4 mile per day and have increased my time per minute
I walked around 14 to 15 minute per mile It seem to help me with my side effect. I don’t walk the day of treatment thou
The more treatments you have, the more irritated your bladder becomes and the more bloody materials you will see. This is very normal.
You are doing great!!
Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator
Just finished my 8 BCG treatment and I have noticed a lot more blood in my urine when peeing I took 4 hour of drinking a lot of water to have clear urine. I drink 8 bottle of water this time before clear urine.
I really hadn’t had a lot of side effect except blood in urine and having a hard time peeing.
I just completed my 23rd BCG treatment today. I get burning in frequency for about 24 hours. However, any burning and discomfort is well worth the goal we all seek, I’ve been clear for 21 month’s now. I had to do two 6 week induction courses because the first one didn’t clear my CIS from my bladder. I’m following the SWOG protocol. There is allot of good information on BCAN.org. BCG is a blessing to me. We are fortunate to have access to it. Good luck with your future treatments!
Thanks for the update. As per prior posts, a month should not be a big deal. Exercise is always good!
Not that carbonated drinks caused my bladder cancer but, I got rid of those 14 years ago not to mention the extra sugar I lost. That carbonation can’t be good for an irritated bladder as many of us have seen the old dirty penny get clean in a cup of coke. Eye opening.
I also added anti-oxidants in moderation. Blue berries and pomegranates that are high in these proven, helpful properties against cancer. Who knows?
Just simply better living.
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.
Just a updated on my situation I decided to wait another month to start my Misc BCG treatment. I will start back up in Jan 23. I started a exercising program walking 3-5 miles a day and started eating right. My goal is to lose weight and get myself ready for the next set of BCG treatment. I have been blessed with not having any side effects from the intial BCG treatment and no cancer recurrence. I have been feeling great again and back to normal bladder function. I figured the best way to fight this cancer from coming back is to use all tool available.At least my mental state is much better. I will continue to do what it takes to win this battle. I have always been a fighter and I will give thanks to God and put it in his hands.Just have to wait and see what going to happen in my next BCG treatment. At least my mind set is ready.
Everyone need to look at this BCG treatment as one step leading up to what we all see as our final award Cancer Free.
I figured one of best tool of this battle is your attitude and you faith believing everything will be alright I will be praying for you all as we go thru this together.
It sounds like the BCG is doing its job! It triggers an immune response in terms of Inflammation. You may on occasion have blood which is an effect of Inflammation. I wouldn’t worry unless it is accompanied by painful urination.
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