Carcinoma in situ…..

Hi Seamoth. You should have been given a stage as well as a grade. The stage is how far anything has progressed in to the bladder lining. CIS is flat and sits on the bladder lining. Tumours can also be non invasive. The CT scan is a general body scan to make sure nothing else is going on elsewhere. The MRI focuses on the abdomen area and gives a far more detailed image of what they are dealing with and this determines the treatment plan. I hope you get a return phone call. Keep us posted

Thanks so much, Rily.  I’m a bit up and down emotionally at the moment, …….but will certainly keep you posted as this whole thing unfolds.  

Hi Seamoth,I hope you hear back soon as it sounds like you need some clarification.Once you have a stage,grade and treatment plan it becomes easier to cope with emotionally.Best wishes Jane x

Hi Seamoth, judging from everything you have written , I would think that the stage of your diagnosis is probably less than T1 . It is possible to have a grade 3 Ta tumour. It just means that it has been found early. If it had been T2 they would no doubt been pushing for a cystectomy, if it had been T1 , they would have been throwing out the option of RC or BCG. The presence of CIS in the site of the previous turp adds a new wrinkle but doesn’t really change the path forward which is BCG treatment if in fact my BIG guess is correct. Not knowing the full picture is a very very discomforting state to be in and  all of the people on this site know Exactly how you feel because we’ve all been there. Coming to grips with the fact that you have cancer is a big shock to the system and it takes time to get settled with that realization. Once you have all the facts then you need to proactively take the steps to get as healthy both physically and mentally as you can to better your life. I personally am stronger now in both of those realms than I was 5 years ago when I was diagnosed. Put your head down and charge forward with this crap in tow ... and then leave it behind. Orillia.

Thanks, Winkers60. I can’t seem to get through to the oncology nurses so will try again tomorrow.

Thanks for your reply, Orillia.  I feel a bit stupid not knowing all the facts about the biopsy results, apart from what I wrote. I will attempt to find out from the oncology nurses who have access to the biopsy results what STAGE the grade 3 tumour was. And whether T1,2 or 3. Your advice sounds really good and I will try to follow it.  A bit wobbly right now 

I had T1aG3. And my consultant said that, although I can be sure one day I will die, it won't be from this cancer. I nearly kissed him!

Yes in haste, my husband was PTa G3 and CIS and non invasive. 6 years on he still has his bladder and everything which goes with that for a man which matters a lot to him [and me].

Denby

Hello again  Orillia.  I have now found the stage of my grade 3 tumour, -it is a stage 1. Is this worse than a T1 or T2? 
I’m having another MRI bladder scan and a CT scan on 17 th September, and then an appointment with the consultant on 30th September to discuss treatment options, which, according to the oncology nurse will (probably) be either BCG treatments or bladder removal (gasp!!).  In your experience, and appreciating its entirely my decision, do you think I should opt for the BCG?  

Hi. Stage 1 is T1. Better than T2. I would rather do BCG... But normally BCG is given to superficial cancers, cancers that have only developed on the surface and have not gone too deep into the bladder.. if it is confirmed type 1 (and not 2) then I would go for the BCG...