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BCG treatments
My husband was recently diagnosed with cancer cells of the bladder lining. His urologist recommended BCG treatments and described them as a 5 minute office procedure to instill, then patient goes home and is told not to void for at least one hour. During my research it appears a more “thorough” or should I say “proper” treatment involves the catheter being left in place and clamped while the patient lies on treatment table and moves side to side periodically to insure better coverage of the entire bladder for up to two hours. I’m just curious how other people were given BCG.
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4 Replies
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I have had two treatments. The catheter was inserted, any excess urine extracted (I was told not to drink for 2 hours prior to the treatment), the BCG put in and the catheter removed. I then went home and retained the BCG for two hours after which I could void it. No rolling, no waiting in the treatment facility. So far I have not had any ill effects from the treatment, but I read that they frequently start after the third cycle.
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Yup, mine is put in my bladder then I go home and hold it for two hours. I sort of roll around but I read what Sara said about that and I do think that sounds right, although sometimes I just lie in bed and turn from side to side a few times just in case. Then I do the bleach thing in toilet as other said. I only have two more rounds of BCG treatment (3 does each round) and I can’t wait as I am really beginning to hate the treatments. I feel all chemically for days after each one.
08/16/16 – TURBT – 1 tumor, T1HG, 7.5 cm x 7.5 cm x 1.8 cm, non-invasive papillary.
BCG treatments (15 doses total – last March, 2018). As of latest cysto on June 30, 2024, cancer free!
It is indeed very rare to have BCG treatments as you have described, Nanny. The usual procedure is to have the BCG placed in the bladder and go home. The patient is advised to try to hold it for 2 hours, or as close to that as possible. Many urologists have said that the advice to roll around is an old wives tale!! The bladder is such that the BCG does cover the surface regardless. And to leave a cath in for a long time? Never heard of such a thing!! However, different doctors do have different views of many things.
Here is a paragraph from the suggestions to urologists from the American Urological Association:
“Instruct patient to attempt to retain the treatment for 1 to 2 hours. Historically, the patient has been instructed to lie down and reposition every 15 minutes from left side to right side, then on back to dislodge air bubbles from catheter and to insure medication comes in contact with all areas of the bladder. However, there is no evidence to support this practice.”
Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator
I get BCG. They instill it, send me home, hold it 2 hours while laying in bed, turn every 15 min. Then after voiding pour bleach I to your toilet and let it sit for 15 min. No one should use the same toilet for 6-8 hours.
where I gave mine done, they do not let you stay for the Two hours.Sign In to reply.