BCG -- is it really an option?

Kimberly,
I was dx'd three years ago, this month, with Ta CIS. I went through 24 BCG Treatments, with no re-ocurrence
The BCG got progressively harder, as it is supposed to do, and I had some unusual side effects, but all in all the big picture is still three years cancer free
BCG does work well with CIS, but there are a lot of great survivor stories just on this site with BCG working well.
As Patricia said, you would know pretty quick if it isn't working for you.
Good Luck
Nancy

Pat,

My URO said my tumor possibly could have graded as a 2 but, he wanted to error on the safe side. For him it is low or high grade. FWIW

Kimberly,
Sorry but i don't remember where you are from or where you are being treated?
Rocky got her second opinion at the #1 Urological Hospital in the country so i would probably go with that doctors opinion after the second TURB.
But i would suggest a second path opinion even at Hopkins..you can do it by mail.
In 2004 the World Health Organisation developed a new grading system for early bladder cancer, which is increasingly being used. This system divides bladder cancers into the following groups

Urothelial papilloma - non cancerous (benign) tumour

Papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential (PUNLMP) - slow growing and unlikely to spread

Low grade papillary urothelial carcinoma - slow growing and unlikely to spread

High grade papillary urothelial carcinoma - more quickly growing and more likely to spread

I really hate the new system...what the heck is a Grade 2..low or high?
Pat

Hi Kimberly, Three years ago I had five tumors taken out, ta grade 2 . The uro wanted to do bcg, I went to John Hopkins for a second op. We decided to do a wait and see. One year later they took out a small neoplasm. I still went without bcg.
It will be three years in Jan with clear cystos. If it comes back I will have to see about crossing the bcg bridge then. It really is a decision only you can make. My Dr. felt I could do a wait and see so I have.
Goodluck, I went to Italy in 76 and I wasn,t old enough to appreciate it. lol rocky

Kimberly I have had 18 BCG treatments to date for focal Cis. For about 24-30 hours I do have side effects that can be rough but beyond that time period I am ok. I was DX in Dec 07 with no recurrences since 04/08

Joey

Kimberly,
I’m going through a similar situation as you, but perhaps I’m further down the road. Over the last 14 months I have had three TURB with two diagnoses of Ta High Grade tumors. I have had 15 treatments of BCG. Three weeks ago with my quarterly cysto we found another suspect area. Because of the history of high grade tumors, my Uro recommended and I have concurred that we do another TURB. We are hoping it is just cystitis from the BCG, but I would rather have the procedure than risk on waiting another 3 months. I have to agree with the others that once you have a final report, it will be easier to make the recommendation. However the treatment of BCG is something I would recommend rather than risk the wait and see or the Cystectomy. As you have probable read here that BCG is no picnic, yet unless you are one that have a severe reaction, it is easier than other treatments of cancer (e.g. chemo & radiation). So bottom line, don’t fear it, just accept that it is goes with the territory. Good luck with the treatment and don’t hesitate to contribute here your experiences. We all get educated from each other and that is a good thing.

Chuck