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Warm hello to all….
I am so happy to have found this site and as I read your stories, my heart goes out to each and every one of you.
My husband was just diagnosed with bladder cancer last week, although grade and stage is to be determined (surgery next week). You all are so informed and educated and I’m doing my best to speak your language. I hope this doesn’t scare anyone, but my dear Mom died of bladder cancer. Her situation was very unique in that, during subsequent discussions with her doctor, she had very tiny clots in her urine and refused diagnosing the reason (you’d have to know my Mom and her denials about anything serious or scary). She never told any of us. My Dad was coping with (and eventually died from) prostate cancer at the time so it was just like Mom to keep the focus on him and deal with her issues later. By the time she was diagnosed, her cancer had metastisized and she passed quietly with us at her side.
Getting back to my husband, he went in for diagnoses in December after noticing one or two very small clots in his urine two months prior. My first question for those of you “in the know” is…is it possible to have cancer without noticing blood in the urine? In other words, could the tumor have been growing without his knowledge? We both had standard urine tests for insurance purposes in April of ’07 and no report of any microscopic blood in his urine then. This is a question about timing…is 2-3 month delay in diagnosis a long time for bladder cancer?
My second question, if you’ll indulge me, is his tumor is about 1.5cm, with another slightly smaller one next to it noticed during last week’s cystoscopy. I read about tumor “size” and don’t understand if it is significant or not, as well as number of tumors.
Thank you all so much for your support. I have to consider my husband’s diagnosis separate from Mom’s, but truly could not keep food down last week out of fear…it’s been paralyzing. Whatever you all have to cope, I don’t seem to possess and you are all amazing. My husband’s urologist seems very good–invited me in during the cystoscopy to point out the tumor and answer questions–but new questions pop up.
You are all incredibly brave and an inspiration for hope.
Thanks, Debbie
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8 Replies
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Debbie,
Sorry you and your spouse must go through yet another cancer experience…hopefully the path report will be good news. My doctor told me that I had probably had my cancer 18 months to 2 years before it was discovered. What led me to my investigation was a minor discomfort in my pelvic area but I thought really that it was related to my ovaries. As women we have so many GYN concerns that yes, bladder cancer can be initally overlooked. And so, of course, when a doctor hears of blood in the urine for a male, that gets much more attention. I have to say, however, that I have heard both males and females tell me they have seen blood in their urine for years and it’s no big deal. For me, it would be a BIG deal, and I finally saw blood last Valentines Day…that is what finally got me to my diagnosis.Hang in there and let us know how things go. Take care, Melodie
Melodie, Indy Pouch, U.W.Medical Center, Seattle, Dr. Paul H. Lange & Jonathan L. Wright
I had microscopic blood in my urine for 8 years before the cancer, but no visible blood. I even had a cystoscopy the first time around, but since it was negative, we just let it go. I actually must have had increasaed bladder twinges for about ? months and asked my urologist how we would know if there was anything to worry about. He had me do a cytoloogy which showed “sheets of atypical cells” which he thought was okay, so we did nothing. A month later I passed a clot. The rest is history – TaG3 – 4 tumors plus CIS. It’s 7 years later and I’m fine except for a urethral stricture as a complication of treatment.
-Warren
TaG3 + CIS 12/2000. TURB + Mitomycin C (No BCG)
Urethral stricture, urethroplasty 10/2009
CIS 11/2010 treated with BCG. CIS 5/2012 treated with BCG/interferon
T1G3 1/2013. Radical Cystectomy 3/5/2013, No invasive cancer. CIS in right ureter.
Incontinent. AUS implant 2/2014. AUS explant 5/2014
PediatricianHmmmmm Rosemary….how about “Because we pick it up to late?” instead of because we are at fault….how many women are told its vaginal bleeding or get totally pooh poohed about seeing blood in the urine…….and truthfully its just not women..it happens to the men also but men are more likely to be taken seriously if they say they’ve presented with blood in the urine. Pat
Hello Debbie-
I’m recently diagnosed with a bladder tumor which I had removed last Friday. Still waiting on the pathology report. Sigh.
My tumor was found incidentally by ultrasound. I never had any blood in my urine and had no other symptoms. I had a urine analysis done prior to my first visit with my urologist. That test came back showing no red blood cells in my urine. My tumor was nickel sized and not a bleeder, I guess!
Welcome to the board (though I’m sorry obviously that your family is venturing down this road). I’ve found many helpful and empathetic folks here.
Best wishes,
Lynn
Debbie, my first sign of blood in my urine was Feb 07. It laasted for one day. I went to my doctor and the urine test and physical showed no blood in the urine. It happened again in October and again the urine test picked up nothing. Because it was my second time I went to a urologist who confirmed BC. My tumor was removed on Dec 4 and it was 4 cm. Even though it was large I was lucky that it was a non invasive TA low grade tumor and no doubt it had been there for several years.
Joe
Hi Debbie sorry to hear of your situation but you didn’t say where you are from and with this cancer if you live near a big city you may want to choose one of the University Hospitals in the city since most of the better hospitals are in the city. In the meantime take care and welcome to the forum. Joe ;)
Debbie,
Hi. Welcome to the forum.
I am really sorry to hear about your Mom (and your Dad)…
I asked my Urologist just last visit, “Why do women have such a worse survival record than men with Bladder Cancer?” And his answer was “Because they present so late.” I had gross hematuria 8 years before my Dx and the Urolgist just poo-pooed it away. I learned to live with “tea” colored urine thinking it was from the vagina (menopausal stuff). My tumor must have been slow growing, because 8 years later, it was Dx’d at T1 G3 (which is still not the best news, but, it could have been worse…)
Good luck to your husband. Please keep us posted as to how things are going.
Best regards,
Rosemary
Rosemary
Age – 55
T1 G3 – Tumor free 2 yrs 3 months
Dx January 2006Hi Debbie…..so sorry about your husbands diagnosis and the family history as well. To answer your question…yes its possible that a tumor was present without blood being present….sometimes you just don’t recognize the signals. Sometimes the urine becomes almost a tea color but it never crosses your mind that its blood…other times it seems to be perfectly clear. I figure i had my tumor for about 3 yrs before i actually had gross hematura which certainly got my attention.
Size does not determine stage or grade. Mine was a single tumor quite small but pretty aggressive..T2..stage 2. I’ve heard of others with quite large tumors that were non-invasive…so you’ll just have to wait for the pathology report to determine the next step. I will tell you that bladder cancer is a highly specialized field and you will want a uro/surgeon who is very experienced along with a great pathologist. So just take it one step at a time right now and see what pathology tells you…..the members here can guide you to the most experienced physicians and facilities.Sign In to reply.
