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questions to ask doctor
If this is in here twice I am sorry. I thought I had submitted it earlier but don’t see it. Still trying to navigate.
Need help with questions to ask the doctorMy husband had biopsy on Monday (stage 3) and we have an appointment on Friday for pathology report and to discuss treatment option.
what are important things to know before we see him, so we can ask the right questions?
I have no clue even after looking up all kinds of things on the internet. Just totally overwhelmed. Thank you so much for all the help you can provide. -
9 Replies
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Sara Ann is Very Correct with regard to a good surgeon.
While a caring Dr. is important and a skilled surgeon is also important to you…. The surgeon that does your RC must be more of an assembly line worker. Skilled indeed, but you want a surgeon that has seen and done it a million times. An artistic surgeon is not your choice.
As to the neobladder…… I have one. I am one of the very lucky ones that has had very few side effects with it. But I have known some very difficult stories related to this and you should not make your choice on one successful patient.I wish you the best of luck. And keep us in the loop….. We are pulling for you.
Sincerely
George
Light a man a fire and he is warm for an evening.
Light a man ON fire and he’s warm forever.08/08/08…RC neo bladder
09/09/09…New Hip
=
New Man! [/size]
In my opinion, 3-4 times a year is NOT anywhere near enough for a surgeon to be competent in any type of surgery. Generally more than 20 and even better more than 50 a year would be necessary.
Alan usually recommend this site from the Cleveland Clinic for an excellent overview of the three types of diversions after radical cystectomy…THANKS ALAN
There are pros and cons to each, and it depends on your personal preference, age, and the ability to deal with the “what ifs.” The neobladder is the most complicated surgery…is wonderful when it works. But it doesn’t always.
The Mayo Clinic is an excellent choice. Another is Dr. Donald Lamm
http://bcgoncology.com/You are fortunate to be where you can have such good options.
Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator
We met with urologist yesterday and got the diagnosis for my husband. His recommendation is removal of bladder. Gave us referral to oncologist to do chemotherapy BEFORE surgery. We contacted Mayo clinic in Phoenix and hope to get in to get 2nd opinion. Our urologist here said, he performs this surgery about 3-4 times a year. Is that enough expertise for such a severe surgery? Also he was not fond of neobladder. Would like to hear from others what option they chose and what the success rate is.
Still puzzled how this came on so quick, no indication until 3 weeks ago. Just had a complete physical in November.
Thank you so very much for all your input in trying to navigate through the wilderness of this.
Don’t apologize for not understanding a “foreign” language!! This is all new to you.
RC stands for radical cystectomy, or removal of the bladder. You may not be facing this unless the cancer has spread into deeper layers of the bladder. However, many of the the questions in the file that Alan posted in the file are very valid no matter what the diagnosis will be.
Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator
thank you for the file. Excuse my ignorance—what does RC stand for
preopquestionsforRC.doc
I am attaching a file that I saved from someone else’s work knowing not just me but others may have a need.
DX 5/6/2008 TAG3 papillary tumor .5 CM in size. 2 TURBS followed by 6 instillations of BCG weekly with a second round of 6 after a 6 week wait.
And only the pathology report will tell you for sure. However, your urologist has a lot of experience and it telling you what he thinks based on his experience.
Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator
thank you, when we originally went to the urologist he already mentioned Stage 3 invasive bladder cancer after a procedure he did. On Monday, after biopsy, he showed me pictures of the bladder and said it confirmed what he thought it was. That was the part that was so confusing to me. He said pathology report would be used to determine treatment options.
Welcome to our Forum. I know that you are a bit bewildered with the thought of possible bladder cancer as well as all the unfamiliar terminology! We have all been where you are now!
I am a little confused. You say that the biopsy was Monday and you will get the pathology report on Friday…yet you also say that it is stage 3? How do you know this?
Usually the biopsy samples, when examined by the pathologist, determine a. whether indeed bladder cancer is present or not and b. the grade and stage if it is malignant. That is why I didn’t quite understand how you knew it was state 3 already.
As for questions for the urologist, first IS it indeed cancer, and what kind is it? The most common kind of bladder cancer is urethelial (arising from the urethelial cells in the bladder lining) but there are other, rarer types. The type determines the type of treatment the doctor will suggest. Second, what is the grade and stage. This determines if it has progressed beyond the bladder lining as well as whether it is slow growing (low grade) or fast growing (high grade.) Finally, of course, if it is cancer, you will want to discuss the “where do we go from here” questions. What types of treatment, if any, are recommended and what does he expect the prognosis to be?
I am sure that others will want to chime in with their question suggestions also.
Good luck to you both and please keep us informed about your progress. And if you have other questions, please just ask….
Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
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