I have frequently read this. Some consultants prefer immunotherapy, others surgery. My consultant only talked about removing the bladder before the results of the biopsies and only as a possibility if it turned out to be invasive. If your cancer is not I would ask why he insists on surgery. BCG is probably more expensive in the long run ... but given that for quite some time you are going to be examined regularly (CT scans, cystoscopy,...) any reoccurrence and progression should be caught quite quickly, should the cancer become invasive you can still opt for surgery later... this is what I understood anyway.
Yes that's what I am thinking, lot more involvement with bcg, follow ups possible more turbts and then more bcg maintenance so it must be costly and takes a lot of NHS time. Maybe it's because I had quite a few tumours and they feel they will reoccur and could spread is why both consultants have gone on about surgery foremost. I realise it may come to surgery eventually but would be good to see if my body responds well to the immunotherapy.
Exactly. It is your decision. Try with BCG. They will have to monitor you. CT scan now and after 1 year. Cystoscopy every 3 months. This way you know if the cancer starts spreading and can then opt for surgery. Which is not the end of the world, as many people in this forum can testify. But make sure you have frequent and regular checkups.
Thanks very much for your comments, yes I see on here people have done very well with surgery, I just feel like maybe not just quite ready for it before trying the alternative.
I think I am going to give the bcg and mitomycin a go, I think I will regret it if I don't try and I just don't feel ready for the removal of bladder, just hope I am as lucky as you, you seem to have OK thank goodness
I think I am going to try the bcg option rather than surgery at the moment, I think I would regret it if I don't try it first. I hope mine goes as well as yours.
Hi Bumblebee49. In these situations it helps being positive and optimistic. But also realistic. At least that has helped my mental health a lot. I always think "and if this doesn't work, we have other routes. We will fight it anyway!". Grade3 non invasive is the case where BCG is thought to be the most effective. I really wish you all the best! Remember you need to be checked every 3 months for the first year. In this way you can see if yhe treat works or not...
