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Low-grade TCC
Is it necessary to have BCG treatment if an individual has only had low-grade TCC tumors over the past 6 years?
Since we are new do this site, is it possible to actually get TB from a BCG infusion into the bladder?
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4 Replies
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Thank you for clarifying and also for all of the valuable information that you provide!
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Perhaps I didn’t quite word it properly. Sorry. If it keeps coming back it can come back as high grade. Just the fact that it keeps recurring means that the cells in the bladder lining are somewhat unstable and can change. That is why BCG is used in that situation. It is a gamble In any event. Fortunately, for many people it doesn’t come back at all,
Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator
Hi Sara Anne,
I noticed in your previous post that you said ” Recurring low grade can quickly become high grade.” Is that a common occurrence? I was told that low grade usually stays low grade. I understand that it can come back as high grade, but what caught my eye was that you said “quickly.” By quickly do you mean often or just at any time?
Thanks so much for being so helpful!
Welcome! Hope we can answer some of your questions.
BCG is not usually given for an initial instance of low grade bladder cancer. Rather a regimen of “watchful waiting” is used with the hope that it does not recur. In many cases it does not come back. If it does keep returning BCG is the usual treatment. Recurring low grade can quickly become high grade.
And no, it is highly unlikely that a normal patient could contract tb from BCG. It is a modified bacterium that was first developed many many years ago as a safe anti-tb vaccine for children.
It is different from the bacterium that causes tb. It IS a live bacterial preparation and sensible precautions are used with it. It’s purpose is to stimulate the immune system in the bladder lining so that is rejects the cancer cells.Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
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