My partner had an annual CT scan on 12 December and received a letter asking him to go to a consultant meeting on 10 January. As we got this a day or so before Christmas, I did contact the specialist nurse to see if she could give any reassurance as it seems such a long time to wait. She rang my partner and from what I understand said that the scan shows 'bladder wall thickening'. She said the consultant was going to discuss at MDT with a colleague from the nearby University Hospital. She said it may be a side effect of BCG or could be a sign that the cancer is returning (partner has had two high grade Pta tumours removed over last three years). He has had a lot of cystitis type symptoms since his last three BCG treatments which were in November. He also had clear routine biopsies in October which makes me feel it is possibly less likely to be cancer. He has had quarterly cystoscopies with biopsies throughout 2023.
We are just trying to prepare for whatever might be said. Does anyone know how significant bladder wall thickening is? The nurse was quite equivocal saying, you might carry on on the same path and complete the BCG or you might need more radical treatment which I take to mean cystectomy. He is due routine biopsies in January / February anyway. I would have thought it might make sense to get these done sooner rather than later and take it from there but obviously I am no doctor!
Thanks for any advice and happy new year to all those going through this difficult journey.
Hi Catfan . When I was told I had thickening of the bladder wall, I was told it could be caused by a number of things, the tumour, the treatment, inflammation or even just an age thing. I was monitored with follow up scans and it was never mentioned again. Not caused me any problems. The consultant will discuss any findings and come up with a plan if necessary. Best wishes.
