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bcg question

10 years 2 months ago #45786 by slocapo
Replied by slocapo on topic bcg question
Going to my 4th one this Tuesday.. Doing fine other than a couple tired blah days… I do have a constant stretch like feel in my lower… groin? area? a lot when I stand up. Any clue?
5-12 TURB
5-13 TURB
11-13 TURB
1-14 BCG
7-14 TURB
8-14 BCG
12-14 TURB
1-15 Cauterized for clotting
2-15 Removal of Right Kidney and Lymph node

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10 years 3 months ago #45736 by Flamenco.
Replied by Flamenco. on topic bcg question
Found this on internet , and thought it gave quite a simplified explanation of how immunotherapy (bcg for example) Works.



Hope the link works.

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10 years 3 months ago #45734 by sara.anne
Replied by sara.anne on topic bcg question
Yes, BCG is considered a form of immunotherapy, rather than chem. Rather than "poison" cancer cells, it harnesses the body's own immune system to fight the cancer cells.

The history of BCG is very interesting. It was developed, I believe, in the 1920's to innoculate children against TB...it was considered milder than other TB vaccines. For some reason, 40 years ago or so it was tried on a number of cancers. I remember that malignant melanoma was one. These treatments turned out to be ineffective. However it did end up being rather successful for bladder cancer, particularly CIS.

Just glad we have it...

Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator

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10 years 3 months ago #45733 by slocapo
Replied by slocapo on topic bcg question
Yes I was told that as well and have read about it… Chemo has many forms ( types ) So strange that someone thought to take tb and test it for bc…
5-12 TURB
5-13 TURB
11-13 TURB
1-14 BCG
7-14 TURB
8-14 BCG
12-14 TURB
1-15 Cauterized for clotting
2-15 Removal of Right Kidney and Lymph node

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10 years 3 months ago #45732 by rbmc
Replied by rbmc on topic bcg question
BCG is a live TB virus, infused directly into the bladder. Helps your own body immune system to see, find and ward off cancer cells in the bladder. Hopefully the patient can hold it in there for 1-2 hrs.

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10 years 3 months ago #45730 by slocapo
Replied by slocapo on topic bcg question
For sure after #6! I have been dealing with this since May of 2012. I have had 3 surgeries and now this 6 weeks of treatments. I was told by my surgeon that this is a treatment of chemo. Did your doctor tell you differently?
5-12 TURB
5-13 TURB
11-13 TURB
1-14 BCG
7-14 TURB
8-14 BCG
12-14 TURB
1-15 Cauterized for clotting
2-15 Removal of Right Kidney and Lymph node

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

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