newly diagnosed sessile bladder mass

Your circumstances are similar to mine. My gyn found the mass during a pelvic ultrasound and she immediately referred me to an area urologist. Since the ultrasound showed a definite "mass" in there, the uro scheduled me for the TURBT the following week without even doing a cystoscopy first. I was sent for a CT scan two days before the surgery which he used as a reference for removal of the tumor.

All that eventually lead to me being referred to Vanderbilt Medical Center for a partial cystectomy in Feb. 2010. Since then, I have had a pelvic/abdominal CT scan every 11 to 12 months to check for recurrence/mets, along with either 3 or 6 month cystoscopies. I asked my surgeon about the CT vs. MRI and his preference so far has been the CT scan. Even though I have some concerns about the radiation, I have left it up to his expertise to choose which gives him the clearer picture of what is going on in my body. So far, I have been clear each time!

During your appointment, ask about the merits of CT vs MRI, and I'm sure they will tell you their preference as to which might give them a better image for what they need to do at this point. Discuss any concerns you have.

Write your questions down ahead of time because I know so often I have forgotten something during the stress of just being there discussing my diagnosis or procedure. Will be thinking of you... and those precious little ones, this week.

Hello... I am so sorry you find yourself here looking for information on bladder cancer. I was not familiar with the term "sessile" and did a bit of reading on the internet but there isn't a lot of references out there that I found. I know you are scared out of your wits hearing this from your doctor after your ultrasound. At this point, don't get ahead of yourself because it is human nature to jump to thinking the worst. Points to think about:

1) Your urologist is the first in line for determining what needs to be done. The cystoscopy will allow him/her to look inside your bladder and take tissue samples for biopsy purposes. That will be a start to know how to proceed from there.

2) Regardless of what the biopsy says, the tumor will have to be removed through a procedure called a TURBT which is a transurethral resection of a bladder tumor (mass). It's done under anesthesia as an outpatient procedure, and pathology will be done on tissue that is removed for a more complete diagnosis.

3) We strongly encourage a second opinion after your path report comes back, and at a hospital/center that specializes in bladder cancer. Studies have shown that an experienced facility with a high volume of bladder procedures often leads to better outcomes for patients. A second TURBT is often done to confirm the findings of the first one. Much depends on whether this mass is found to be invasive, aggressive, or possibly even benign. There are many variables at this point.

4) Find out the level of experience of your referred urologist. Ask how many times he has seen your particular type of tumor. Even if he does the cystocopy, you can ask to be referred to someone else to do the TURBT if you are not satisfied with his credentials. I see you are in Maryland, and I'm sure some of our members can recommend some doctors/hospitals who are considered tops in this field.

I know this is not very comforting to you, but knowing what to expect hopefully can help you formulate some questions for your appointment. Please let us know how your cystocopy goes and I send you my most positive thoughts as you go through this.