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bcg , what is it
Posted by susant on May 31, 2008 at 2:11 pmGoing to have bcg soon , i guess.
Does it hurt, and will i get sick like they say people do with chemothrapy.
I was at er once, will i have to go with this bcg things?I’m getting scared of all this. Does my doctor think i am going to die from cancer. Is that why I am getting this treatment?
momof4 replied 16 years, 8 months ago 9 Members · 14 Replies -
14 Replies
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I found this article which explains BCG, what it is and how it works:
TURB is usually followed by treatment administered within the bladder to rid the organ of any tumor cells that broke off during TURB. Called intravesical therapy, this type of immunotherapy uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. The agent most often used for intravesical treatment is bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), a form of bacteria that is sometimes used as a tuberculosis vaccine. The treatment is typically given once a week for six weeks, and although much of the drug is washed out during urination, a good amount remains in the bladder.
Researchers believe BCG works by alerting the cells lining the bladder of a brewing infection, which results in infection-fighting white blood cells rushing to the bladder. But unlike the normal chain of events that occurs with urinary tract infections, Dr. O’Donnell says BCG causes the white blood cells to release a tumor-killing compound called TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) that is effective in destroying cancer cells but spares normal cells. Chemotherapy agents, such as Valstar® (valrubicin), Mutamycin® (mitomycin)‚ Adriamycin® (doxorubicin) or Thioplex® (thiotepa), may also be used for intravesical therapy.
Caregiver for my Wonderful Husband Angelo, who has Metastatic Bladder Cancer.Life isn’t about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.
Thank you people again for helping me . I think i am getting better about it.
My mom, now 79, has had three 6-week rounds of BCG with no adverse affects. It was annoying for her to wait the required time before urinating (turning every 15 minutes), and annoying to bleach the toilet for a number of hours afer urinating each time the day of BCG, but no real discomfort at all other than mild burning on and off the day after BCG. She didn’t complain.
KC
Hi Susant, I went skiing the day after my first turb ( I had five tumors removed) When I had my next tumor taking out a year later I went on a four mile hike the day after. Alot of this can be a mind game, we can really get ourselves worked up if we let our minds wander. I have delt with fatigue for years with lyme disease so I know what it is like to be tiredddd. I havn’t had the bcg but if I do get it I am planing to go hiking after it too. (lofty ideas guys?? lol) just to prove to myself I am not going to let it beat me.
You can do this, the others on this site are very smart about the bcg and helping you through it so listen to what they have to say. You will make it!! RockyI never am scared of nothing. First time for everything i guess. I sure don’t like it much.
Glad I’m not going to die from it. mayeb i will get lucky and not get sick from the bcg stuff. maybe if I could just sleep till I am 43 next year it would all be over.i want to go back to having some fun. all i do is think about this . does that ewver
stop?You all help lots, and I thank you for that.
Susan, I have had fatigue the second half of 2007, stretching into this year when my tumor was removed on March 31. The fatigue continued ’till the past few days and now I feel, for the first time, quite a bit more normal. No extreme naps necessary like before. So trust me….you WILL get through this….just hang in there and enjoy your naps for the time being.
Bob
T1 G3
Age 66
DX April 2008
TURB April 2008
Last BCG (#15) April 2009Hi When you say youll never be the same and it makes you unhappy to think that, sounds like the blues to me those kind of thoughts are defeating, Ive been through this like all of us and positive energy will help and these death thoughts and never be the same thoughts are not helping ,bad thoughts. youl be fine try to exercise walking easy for starters, and dont think those neg. thoughts get out of yourself and enjoy what you do have , finding this site is a good start for feeling better about your situation, it is very helpful,good luck and its not that bad,trying not to think about something is impossible, easier to think of something :)good to fill the space.do you have a supportive family, that helps I hope you do, if not the people at this site are very kind, again best of luck,just part of our journey.right ;)
Another thing seems that from what the doctor says it takes a few weeks to get over the operation. He said if i am tired a lot that is regular thing and I should just rest.
i feel like I could sleep and sleep after being awake for just a few hours. Don’t have a bit of energy like i use to have.i’ll never be the same i guess, kind of makes me unhappy to think that.
Susan, I know what you mean. I had my second TURB on 05/05/08 and still have discomfort when going.
Joe
Thank you Joe. i still have burn from operation to take the tumors out. lasts a long time, but is getting better.
I also had 6 weeks of BCG for a 4 cm low grade tumor. I had very little side effects and was able to tolerate it very well. I will be having 3 more next month. I did have an increase in frequency with minor burning.
Joe
Thank you very much. I am less afraid now.
I would talk to him about my fears, but he isn’t very good to talk to. the nurses talk to me.It is good to hear from you ladies .
Susan, I am two weeks past my 6 week BCG treatments. I know how you feel…I was terrified. Turned out it was very easy. The treatments themselves took about 10 minutes and were very tolerable. Afterwards, for that afternoon, I had burning and urgency and that was it. The last week I had a lot of fatigue, but that happens to me anyway and may not have been the BCG.
If you read carefully the information on this web site, you will see that bladder cancer is very treatable. For resistent papillary or CIS, BCG is the first line of defense. Even if that doesn’t work, there are other options that are very successful.
Good luck to you and keep “hanging out” with us on this forum….the people here have been there, done that and are a great resource.
Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum ModeratorHi Susan,
I will let the BCG experts give you the details…but what I can tell you is that I had the lowest form of bladder cancer (Ta) and I am 1/2 way through the BCG treatments. I tell you the 1st week prior was the worst for me through out this whole cancer thing. The only reason I am having the treatments is because the size of my cancer…normally they do not do BCG for Ta.
BCG is not as harsh as the normal chemo that we have heard about…
That 1st week (before the treatment) I was a mess…I think everything had just built up. then when I went I told the nurse my fears and she spent time explaining and calming me down…and it really has been fine. My biggest problem has been fatigue…but a lot of people have no symptoms afterwards. Week 2 I had alittle burning and a little yeast infection but that did not last long- and this Thursday when I had my 3rd treatment- think I was less fatiqued then before and so far no yeast.
the actual treatment does not hurt…just a little uncomfortable…my nurse said that some nurses do not use a numbing jell but she does and I think that helps…so you may want to see if they will use it especially since you are feeling anxious about the procedure.
I think bcg is more a line of defense and I don’t think you need to get ahead of yourself with worrying about dying at this point…Do you know what stage/grade of bc that you have. What procedures have you had for a diagnosis? any surgery? Also, where do you live?
Try to stay positive, I know it is hard but it can help. Remember we will be here for you if you want to vent or chat
((hugs))
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