Introduction

Hi Rebecca, as others have stated, if the cancer is "high-grade", BCG is usually recommended, as it helps to prevent the tumor from coming back. High grade types of tumors have a recurrence rate that is pretty high (>50%). Using BCG can help to reduce this recurrence rate and, from what I have read, is highly recommended in the case of high-grade papillary tumors. BCG is basically a weakened Tuberculosis (it is the same thing used in tuberculosis vaccines in children) that helps to stimulate the immune system to fight abnormal cell growth in the bladder.

I am in the same boat as you...just had the TURBT and they identified high-grade papillary, so I will start BCG soon. Another opinion would not hurt, right?

Best, Jeff

I'm in complete agreement with Sara Ann and Alan on this one. Please get a second opinion. May is an awful long time to wait with a high-grade diagnosis, especially with no treatment.

You can have your doctor send your slides to John Hopkins for a second opinion on the pathology. Per your post, the path report showed no muscle in the specimens. In my case, the tumor was deemed high-grade, but there was no muscle in the initial TURB samples. So to help ensure an accurate diagnosis, I had a second TURB to obtain a better specimen, and had the slides from both TURBs sent to John Hopkins to verify the pathology. Once I was fully healed from the second TURB, I started my 6 weekly treatments of BCG.

Please ask your doctor why he/she hasn't scheduled you for a second TURB - and why he/she hasn't scheduled you for BCG treatments.

I wish you the best. Please keep us posted.
LilyG

I received my pathology report today. High grade papillary urothelial carcinoma. Carcinoma invades the Lamina propria (pt1). 4 x 2 x 0.7. No muscular propria (detrusor muscle) is present for evaluation. I am to return in May for another cystoscopy.

Thank you. You listed a lot of good questions for me.
Rebecca