BCG shortage

There is a bit of confusion here between post operative treatment where something like mitomycin or gemcitabine is given as a wash immediately after the TURB and treatment done several weeks afterward when the drug is instilled into the bladder and left for several hours. There is also a difference in dose. This quote refers to the former.

Sara Anne

First, Gemcitibine is not being used as "chemo." It is being used just like BCG to stimulate the immune system in the bladder itself. You would not want a chemical of any kind instilled into the bladder while there still is an open wound that hasn't quite healed. That would be quite dangerous. This is why there is usually about a month's wait between the TURB (biopsy) and intravesical treatment such as this.

Chemotherapy is when the drug(s) are given systemically, usually via an intravenous injection or infusion, and affect the entire body. This is done when the cancer has spread outside the initial organ. In your husband's case the cancer is still confined to the bladder so that whatever drug is administered (BCG or Gemcitibine) can be used as a "wash" at a stronger concentration directly on the cancer.

Sara Anne