Turbt

Hi Bantamfan, I have had 2 turbts and diagnosed with grade 3 PT1, now needing to decide whether to try bcg/chemo mix or have the recommended surgery to remove bladder, wandering what to do, would like to try bcg, you sound positive??? 

Hi Bumblebee49,   I had G3 PT1 non-muscle invasive Oct 2021, and I was advised to have TURBT then 6 lots of BGC.  I had no major issues other than being tired. Then in May 2021 they found very small  G3 PTa again all non-muscle invasive, so I had another TURBT and 3 more rounds of BCG which finished in July 2022.                           Then in Sept 2022 following a flexiscope  they found 2 very small lesions, which will be removed in December with Laser treatment and then I will have another 3 rounds of BCG... all my BCG treatments had very little impact on me, other than I felt a little sleepy after each one. I do drink lots of water which really helps and limits the possibility of infections. I really want to avoid having Chemo or removal, for me BCG was the way to go and my Consultant agreed , luckily the recurrences are much small and less stage. Staying healthy and positive is key. Good look, please discuss with your Consultant the best treatment for you. 

Hi Blondie82,Welcome to this friendly group.I’m sorry to hear about your mum’s diagnosis but we are all here for support.Following diagnosis with a flexible cystoscope the next step is a TURBT procedure (Trans urethral resection of bladder tumour).This is sometimes done in a day but usually involves an overnight stay in hospital.The TURBT is done under a general anaesthetic to allow deeper biopsies to be taken.It’s usual to have a catheter afterwards.At my local hospital you had to be able to pass urine three times before it was removed and that urine was measured.Sometimes people are discharged with a catheter.It is normal to have a CT scan following a cancer diagnosis.The results of the scan plus the histology results from the tumour will be looked at by the medics.A team made up of health care professionals a multi disiciplinary team or MDT will meet to discuss your mum’s case and decide on a treatment plan.I hope this helps.Best wishes Jane 

I completely agree with B2B. I also had g3 but T1a (which apparently is slightly earlier than T1). I had in total 12 bcg treatments. The last couple were the worse  but nothing too bad. I had 1 TURBT July 2021. No reoccurrence yet. Checkup cystoscopy this coming Wednesday ... but I know that even if there was a reoccurrence, 99% of probability is it's smaller and will go with another TURBT... My decision is: until it becomes invasive (hopefully never...), turbt + BCG.

Hi , funnily enough I'm  starting  another round of BCG treatment next week 16,17 and 18 . I've really had no side effects up to date .Yes I  feel a bit tired the day after but nothing that stops me living my life . Wasn't too keen on having the  removal option .Still young 55 now but feel like 25  .I find  its more in your head how you feel about the treatment .Like everyone says drink plenty of water to flush yourself out and I take a couple of Ibuprofen an hour or two before I go . Works for me . Stay positive . Hope  this helps . 

Many Thanks 

Thank you so much for this it really helps to hear some positive feedback about bcg. 

Hi B2B, was it mentioned to you that bladder removal would be the best option as they said with grade 3 aggressive cancer that has best rate of continuing life, although it would be a huge change to get used to. They said about it coming back and being worse, going muscle invasive etc, I feel I want to give it a go (bcg) but feel from what surgeons say a bit reckless? 

H Bumblebee49, Bladder removal has never been mentioned, which I think is due to mine being non-muscle invasive my consultant said BCG is best. The 2 recurrences I've had have both been G3 Pta and 1mm in size, again non-muscle invasive, hence whey they want me to continue with BCG.   I think if they are muscle invasive then it's a different conversation. I am happy to continue with BCG, and supporting this by eating healthy and exercising which helps with the mental approach to the treatment. I have also had a full body CT scan and three is no sign's of it having spread in the urinary tract or anywhere else, BCG maintenance seems to be controlling it so fingers crossed after the next round of Laser in December there are no further occurrences. 

That sounds good, surgery has been spoken about both times I have met with the doctor(surgeon) because I had quite a few tumours removed and being grade 3 PT1 aggressive, but not muscle invasive yet but they seem to be pushing for surgery. They do not seem to want to discuss the bcg option so much. I am glade yours is going well.