I am sorry I am posting again. I have had my first BCG which went okay. However, somewhere on this site someone referred to the NICE guidelines for high grade non muscle invasive ladder cancer which I read. This says a second TURBT procedure should be carried out six weeks after the first. I have only had one TURBT on the 19th of October and commenced on BCG a few days ago. I am trying to calm my increasing anxiety but reading these nice guidelines. I don’t think that I was given any information about risk of progression. The consultant just said bladder removal was a serious surgery with risks and then went on to talk fully about BCG. I then spoke to the specialist nurses and asked why I wasn’t really offered bladder removal and she said it would be overkill. However, this seems to be Contrary to what the nice guidelines say? I’ve copied these below. I feel as though I haven’t really been able to make a fully informed decision as the decision almost seems to have been made for me. I cannot understand why it is overkill to seek bladder removal When the NICE guidelines say it should be offered. I have not been given any figures for success rate for BCG either. I’m starting to think if the cancer doesn’t get me, the anxiety will kill me. I don’t want to drive my specialist nurse mad with these queries, but if there is such a risk of progression, I am wondering whether to seek a second opinion. My tumour was small / under 1cm but is G3pTa with squamous differentiation urethral plus CIS.
NICE guidelines
If the first TURBT shows high‑risk non‑muscle‑invasive bladder cancer, offer another TURBT as soon as possible and no later than 6 weeks after the first resection.
