Well, after two TURBTs and the install course of BCG for H1TG bladder cancer, had my flexible cystoscopy today.
Sort of inconclusive results: Doctor said there was nothing that screams cancer at him, but there two small spots he wants to biopsy. Long story short, he said could be recurrence of cancer, or those could be aggravated spots from the BCG therapy.
So, essentially, I'll be getting a biopsy via rigid cystoscopy. As I understand, this might amount to what could call another TURBT, depending on what they find when they go in.
I'm OK with it ... probably 'cause I was not expecting a completely clear scope ...too many symptoms of late. So, we're again going in to examine the nature of this beast and then move on to discussion of possible treatments.
We do what we can, eh?
Hi Mark,
Sorry to hear that your results weren't conclusive.
I've also had "red spots" spotted during my biopsies, examples were taken and these were caused by the BCG.
Since my TURBTs I've only had biopsy under GA, my last one being on 10th Jan and was my 6th biopsy in a couple of years. Still waiting for my results.
I don't mind the biopsies too much. The form filling, pre-ops etc get a bit frustrating, but like you said what can you do.
I wish you all the best and keep us posted.
Trevor
Well done for your calm, philosophical response to the inconclusive flexi results. It's not always easy to bear these extra procedures and uncertainties and then having to wait for yet more results. With luck, the further investigation will confirm BCG aggravation rather than a small recurrence. At least it should clarify the next steps. A rigid cystoscopy instrument is indeed used for a TURBT but maybe, as there's no known tumour to remove, the medics simply call it a biopsy. Both of my TURBTs were performed under a general anaesthetic. Is that the standard procedure in the USA?
Yes, the rigid scope procedures here in the U.S., I believe, are done under general anesthetic and in a hospital. I know my two TURBTs were.
My doctor essentially said my forms might say biopsy or might say TURBT, but the prep and the procedure are much the same. He did add that if he did see something that needed to be shaved down, he'd do that.
I'm OK with either title. The first two TURBTs didn't go badly for me, so I'm of the mind that one more is no huge deal, all things considered.
Thank you my friends for your kind responses.
I'm going with the attitude that this is 51% good news.
Between now and the next procedure date (when they issue me one) there's life to live and things to d, so onward we go, eh?
And, you know, if the sample comes back malignant, I know my preferences for treatment and what I'd like to discuss with my doctors in terms of options.
Doing what can be done and trying not to worry much about that's outside my ability to have an impact on.
One of the unexpected consequences of cancer has been that I sort of more greatly enjoy the other parts of my life, even the ordinary.
I'm good for now, and that's in no small part to having you lovely folk to discuss things with.
Cheers.
I’ve had TURBT’s for non cancerous patches.My urologist was not sure what to write on the form back in 2019 and was saying he couldn’t put TURBT if I didn’t have cancer.I told him I had signed consent forms before where they had written TURBT where I had red patches/ulcers.He wrote TURBT in the end and I did have cancer.Jane
Hi Mark
I had red patches after my induction course of BCG and after the first maintenance course too. These turned out to be inflammation from the BCG, no cancer cells were detected which is a fantastic result but it is nerve wracking waiting for the results to come through. The biopsies were taken under GA and I recovered quite quickly as the procedures were more straightforward than the TURBTs. I've just finished my second maintenance course (nos 10,11 and 12) and I'm waiting for a date for my next cystoscopy.
I'll keep my fingers crossed that your biopsies are also negative for cancer cells and that you have a fast recovery time.
Love Ade xx
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