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polyp removal in dr office?
Hi, Everyone,
I am new here. First diagnosed with stage 2 bladder cancer when I was 32 years old. No muscle invasion. I have been having cystoscopies every 6 months. I have had re occurring polyps every two to three years. Nothing major but annoying. I have always had them removed in a hospital setting. My urologist has recently retired and now I just saw my new urologist this past week. I had gone almost 5 years cancer free but now It has come back. He says they is a cluster of 4 polyps (superficial-non invasive). This doctor said I can either have them taken out in the dr. office or the hospital. My previous urologist did not like doing this in the dr. office. This new doctor did say it was very painful to have it done this way, but is over in 5 minutes and of course less money and no anesthesia. Has anyone had polyps removed in the doctor’s office? I need to make my decision this week. Thank you. Sheri
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16 Replies
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Good for you! Keep the faith and maybe the spasms will go away quickly. I sure remember them,
Nancy
Nancy S
Ta CIS
dx Ta 11/06
dx Ta CIS 10/07
I’m really glad to hear that the pathology report came out so well. Although this was a low grade and stage, you still need to be vigilant with checkups and talk to your urologist about additional treatment options when you have a recurrence such as this. My urologist recommended I undergo BCG treatment under similar circumstances. I was a bit hesitant since my tumors, like yours, were low grade and stage, but decided to do the treatment and have been all clear for 5 years now.
Ann
Small TA Grade 1, May-06; recur (2 tiny), same, June-08; TURBTs both times. BCG begun July-08, dosage to 1/3rd May-10, completed treatment December-11. All clear since 2008.
Had the polyp removed this past Tuesday. The pathology report came back as papillary non-invasive Stage 1. (Same as last time) I’m still going through the painful urination and the bladder spasms, which I must have blocked from memory the last time I had a polyp removed. I couldn’t imagine having to go through this awake and without anything to numb the pain.
Good for both of you!
Anita
Anita
Forum Moderator
Caregiver
Good for you!! We sometimes forget that the patient has rights!!
Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator
Thank you all. Based on your feedback, I had the courage to meet with the Doctor’s nurse and insist on a twilight anesthesia and won!
Hi everyone, I am so sorry I am not getting to you all till now. I appreciate all the opinions. I opted to have the polyps removed at the hospital. All is well until the next cysto in 3 months. Sheri
No, you are not being a wimp. I would second Ann’s comments. It is important to get the polyp removed, but it is even more important to be sure that all of it is removed and that enough surrounding tissue is present for an accurate assessment of its size and the potential for spread.
Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator
I shouldve been more clear. “1 Yr Cysto” = 4th Cysto since diagnosis and TURBT one year ago.
Even though I had an OK experience in having 2 tumors removed in the office, they were very tiny (pinhead size) and I definitely had local anesthetic instilled in the bladder and think I had a mild sedative as well to stay relaxed. My initial tumor two years prior was about the size of yours and removal was done under anesthesia as a hospital outpatient.
You need to talk to the doctor and make other arrangements (maybe another doctor!) if he’s talking about burning out a polyp/tumor of that size in the office. Aside from the pain and discomfort of an in-office procedure with no anesthetic :( , a polyp/tumor that size needs to be carefully cut out in order to get do decent biopsy, which is very important. Cauterizing damages the tissues and makes biopsy analysis difficult if not impossible.
You mention having a one year cysto, which implies that you’ve been cancer-free for at least 5 years. Could you tell us a little more about your bladder cancer history? Given that this sounds like a recurrence, it’s all the more important to do careful analysis for type, stage and grade as that will determine treatment recommendations.
Best of luck!
Ann
Small TA Grade 1, May-06; recur (2 tiny), same, June-08; TURBTs both times. BCG begun July-08, dosage to 1/3rd May-10, completed treatment December-11. All clear since 2008.
I have the same issue. Depsite wearing my lucky Green 4 leaf Clover Rugby shirt, at my 1 year cysto the doctor told me that he found a polyp the size of the nail on your pinky finger.
He then proceeded to slap an ice pack on my thigh (Whats that about?) and had the nurse fumbling around for some “tools”. When I asked what was up, he said they were going to burn out the polyp immediately. (BTW ….this means no local anesthetic and nothing for nerves). I vehemently opposed this decision, offering to remove the cystoscope myself so I could leave. The doctor was visibly frustrated and annoyed, grumbling that I was making such a big deal over something so minor.
He rescheduled the appointment again for next week, to be done in the office without anesthesia and will administer a mild anxiety pill. I feel trapped. Am I making too big a deal out of this? Do I need to “Man up” and do this or should I seek a second opinion? I think my urologist is among the top in his field and I don’t want to question his judgement but I’m just not sure I can do this.
Are thier other options?
A counter experience here, and I know people disagree. I had my initial small tumor removed under anesthesia as a hospital outpatient. The recurrence I had was two very tiny tumors and the urologist recommended removal in the office, with local anesthesia. I opted for that, and did not regret it. There was no pain during the procedure, and little discomfort afterward. As well as the local, they also had me take some kind of relaxant ahead of time, something like valium, and an anti-spasmodic med afterward. I like to avoid any kind of general anesthesia, even the mild kind they use for bladder tumor removal, whenever possible. I think the size, type, location, and number of tumors should be a partial guide as to whether it’s advisable to opt for an in-office procedure. I’ve been all clear now for 5 years since removal of the tiny recurrent tumors.
Ann
Small TA Grade 1, May-06; recur (2 tiny), same, June-08; TURBTs both times. BCG begun July-08, dosage to 1/3rd May-10, completed treatment December-11. All clear since 2008.
I agree, Had an in office biopsy done, and would definitely not do that again.
Diane
Hi sherri , I had a small tumor removed in the office , oowwww . won’t do that again. The next ones I went to same day surgery and got knocked out to have them removed. No I would not have any taken out again in the office. Hope this helps’ Rocky
I can only second everything that Catherine has said! I had a very small biopsy done in the office once…there was a small bit of irritation that the uro was pretty sure was from BCG, but he wanted to be sure. That was OK, but I certainly would not want any more. And, you DO want to be sure he is thorough and takes enough sample to be SURE about the degree of involvement.
Did you “inherit” this new doctor when your old one left? This is a good time to be sure you have the right one. You want a urologist who specializes in bladder cancer. As you probably know, many see mostly prostate issues and are not really bladder cancer experts.
Good luck to you.
Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
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