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TURBTs and BCG treatment
Hello all, I am 54 year old man in very good health.(Former smoker) In Oct. 2018 awoke with blood in urine, saw GP who directed me to Urologist who performed Cystoscopy Dec. 7th. He detected papillary carcinoma and recommended TURBT. After discussing with my wife, I arranged to see BC specialist at MSKCC in NYC on 12/19, he performed another Cysto to confirm, and then performed TURBT on Jan 2 2019. Pathology came back Stage 0a non-invasive urothelial carcinoma with predominantly low grade but SOME high grade cells detected. I am having a 2nd TURBT on Jan 29, and 3 -4 weeks later will begin BCG treatments once a week for 6 weeks.
My questions are: –It’s been 9 days since TURBT, and other than the first 24 hours of burning etc. after surgery had no discomfort at all until yesterday. Now have constant urge to go, and a slight tingle/burn not really painful, but noticeable. Urine is totally clear. Does that sound normal? — BCG side effects – what should I be expecting? I sit at a desk for 9 hours a day.
Thank you in advance for any feedback. Happy New Year
DX 12/2018 NMIBC T0a both High AND Low grade
TURBT 1/2/19 and 1/29/19
MMC begins 2/22/196 Replies-
Been cancer free ever since!
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.
Thanks for the reply and encouragement Alan.
Based on your footer, I see you had 2 rounds of BCG… did you ever have a recurrence? Have you been cancer free for 10 years? That would be wonderful to hear.
DX 12/2018 NMIBC T0a both High AND Low grade
TURBT 1/2/19 and 1/29/19
MMC begins 2/22/19
Welcome. Yes my DX was very similar. My URO said if any of this is high grade it is all high grade and treated accordingly. You will do well and on your way to beating this.
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.
Hello all,
Original pathology report said my tumor was NIMBC papillary T0a mostly Low grade, but High grade was present as well, so I am being treated for both. Dr. said it isn’t common, but it happens. Does anyone else out there have this diagnosis?
Had my 2nd TURBT this week as a follow up. Dr. said resection was deeper and wider this time to make sure he got it all, and because tumor had been so close to my right Ureter, he put a stent in to prevent a blockage should scar tissue develop. I was not expecting that, but I am tolerating it well w/ no issues so far. I am waiting for the pathology results with fingers crossed. I am to start BCG in 3 weeks–1x week for 6 weeks (seems to be standard?).
DX 12/2018 NMIBC T0a both High AND Low grade
TURBT 1/2/19 and 1/29/19
MMC begins 2/22/19
Thanks so much for your kind words and advice. I am waiting for a call back from my Dr. office to discuss my issues.
DX 12/2018 NMIBC T0a both High AND Low grade
TURBT 1/2/19 and 1/29/19
MMC begins 2/22/19
Well, I suspect that this was NOT the New Year’s gift you wanted! However, you are in a good place…the diagnosis is the kind that has a very good prognosis. You have been pro-active and are being seen at one of the very best for bladder cancer diagnosis and treatment.
As for your current symptoms, they could very well be a result of the TURB. BUT anytime that you have a question about a symptom such as this you need to ask your doctor about it. We aren’t doctors here and are not familiar with your exact situation.
There is a LOT about BCG on this Forum. Go to the top right of this page and use the “Search” button. Please remember that people who have side effects are more likely to post (complain?) than those who have none!! But in a nutshell, you will probably be “uncomfortable” for the day of the BCG administration. For a few hours after administration you may have cramping, urgency, burning, and even some bleeding. By the next day you should be able to do a desk job…particularly if the rest room isn’t too far(!) IF you can schedule the BCG treatments for a Friday that would be great…you would have the weekend to recover. The most noticeable side effect for me was fatigue. The purpose of BCG is to “kick-up” your immune system to reject the cancer and the side effects do increase as the treatments continue. This is GOOD news, since it means that your body IS responding which is what you want to happen. If the side effects become too bad, the dose of BCG can be reduced significantly and still be effective. BCG is so much better than the chemotherapy that some cancer patients need. And in the case of high grade bladder cancer it can be life-saving.
You are doing all the right things and are being seen at an excellent center. You will do great!!
Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
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