Chemotherapy hasn’t kept cancer away

Hi Raft22 just want to say a warm welcome to this lovely friendly forum. Sorry to hear about the trying timing of all this for your family. But as far as I can tell this is how it often is with bc. The good thing is that as your husband's tumours [like mine's] are non invasive, hopefully the doctors will be able to just go on treating them as they crop up. And because they keep on monitoring, any new ones are dealt with while tiny before they have a chance usually to do too much harm. In my husband's case the Mitomycin and BCG were the other way round. He had a TURBT [had described his bladder at the first cystoscopy as looking like inside out cauliflower the whole way round] and 6 BCG. Then he got a recurrence and switched to Mitomycin, which has done the trick for him for around 3 years now. Couple of instances of red patches, which attract a shorter checkup interval of 3 months instead of 6. But they are not uncommon. But many on here have dozens of BCG and find it effective. Hope all that helps, 

Denby

Thank you so much for replying and it’s really reassuring to hear the positive stories when feeling really anxious. It’s such a scary time. Fingers crossed everything remains really positive for you both xx

Hi Raft22. Good information from Denby. As said, these things are not uncommon. If one thing doesn't work, they will try another. I hope all goes well. Keep in touch and ask any questions you like. Best wishes.

Hi Raft22,  Apart from my 1st TURBT I've only ever had pin pricks too.  in the early days I had Mitomycin C but had an allergy to it which made the bladder itch for a week, so that was it for me.  After a change of hospital & almost a decade Ilater I  was offered Epirubicin, not sure if it's got anything to do with it but my low G2 had now changed  to a G1.  Everything crossed for you both xxx

Thank you ever so much x 

That is really reassuring- thank you ever so much for sharing x

I'm afraid I have to disagree with Denby about the effectiveness of monitoring. They cannot guarantee that a new occurrence won't be high grade/muscle invasive, sorry. Having said that, it is still curable if contained within the bladder.

A low grade recurrence is not too much to worry about. If it is high grade but not muscle invasive, then they might offer or suggest bladder removal or try BCG/more chemo. Other options if high grade & muscle invasive (probably unlikely, if tiny) vary according to results of further tests. 

Anxiety is normal, but try to take things one step at a time and enjoy your new baby - worrying won't change the outcome. Best wishes.

Hi Raft, i always thought BCG was given for high grade, i'm high grade and had 15 bcg, been clear for nearly 9 years  with 6 monthly check ups. Good luck

Hi Raft, I was similar.. Started with G2pTa. TURBT followed by 6* Mitomycin. First check 3 months after the Mitomycin and red patches were found. Had rigid with biopsies and it was confirmed as CIS. 

I've had the 6 week induction and the first set of maintenance doses. The biopsies after the maintenance doses were clear. 

Because the 9th BCG affected me so badly, I was given the option of not continuing with the BCG and going on to 3 monthly flexi checks. 

I'm due my first check next month so its a case of suck it and see as to whether it stays away.