-
Just found out today I have bladder cancer
Hello all, I just found out today I have CIS bladder cancer. Seems it’s not just a few places but pretty much the entire lining of the bladder. Plan is to have it all scrapped out in two weeks. Then more pathology to see if it’s spread or what stage I’m at.
Anyone out there with this? Just looking for info.
Thanks for responding. -
1 Reply
-
Hello, and welcome to our Forum! I know you would rather be somewhere else.
CIS is a rather common form of bladder cancer, more like a rash on the bladder lining than a solid tumor. It is sometimes accompanied by papillary carcinoma, which is like little mushrooms growing out of the bladder surface, and sometimes either type appears alone. CIS is considered “high grade” which means that it has the propensity to spread and it should be taken very seriously.
I was diagnosed about 6 years ago with CIS. I had the usual treatment for it, which is BCG (a form of immunotherapy) and have been cancer-free since. BCG is probably what will be prescribed for you.
There is a lot to read about BCG on this web site and Forum, but basically it involves instilling a modified TB bacterium into the bladder once a week for 6 weeks. Then, a maintenance regimen is usually used where the BCG is used for three-week periods until 2 years have passed. The idea is that the BCG causes an inflammatory immune response in the bladder lining which rejects any cancer cells there. Works well in a lot of cases.
Know you will have a LOT of questions, so please feel free to ask them. There are a lot of people here who can share their experiences. And good luck to you!
Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum ModeratorSign In to reply.
