Histology Results

Hi Modena20 . This is not the worst result in the great scheme of things. For non invasive BC he follow up is usually a second TURBT to mop up and give a more accurate diagnosis, and then on to BCG treatment. Many people here have had successful results with BCG. On the other hand, others have made the choice to have bladder removal. It's personal choice and you need to discuss the pro and cons with your team. Best wishes.

Certainly worth asking why surgery was the recommendation. As rily says, normally with G3 non invasive, there is a second look to confirm stage. Then you would usually be given an option of BCG or surgery. I had that choice & opted for surgery for best chance of cure (among other reasons), but many do prefer to try BCG first, even though there is a risk (however small) of a recurrence being incurable. There are pros & cons to each path, so definitely need to weigh it all up before deciding. Best wishes.

Hi Modena20, I do endorse all rily and Teasswill have said. And what is more my husband whose numbers were PTa G3 so not far off yours, and a whole bladder-full of tumours at that, was given a cystoscopy to check after 6 BCG. It was done under GA due to him having strictures, and when he came round he was informed it had turned into an instant second TURBT, ie re-resection, because there was already a new tumour only 6 weeks after the BCG.

The surgeon told us he had ""3 equal choices, more BCG, radical cystectomy or Mitomycin" To say we were shocked by the idea of him losing everything and an end to marital bliss would be a big understatement.

As we did not then know that for many people BCG is like keeping a path weed-free with weedkiler, sometimes an odd one pops up and you just need to give it another dose, we said, give him the Mitomycin please. This is part of why I remain on here 5 clear years on, as you do not mention Mitomycin I gather you are on of the many who do not even get the offer from their hospital. There is no reason why you should not ask for this for your own case. It is administered into the bladder just like the BCG. Though some centres deliver it heated. My husband 's bladder could not tolerate it warm, nor could he hold it for as long as he was supposed to try to. But it has still worked well for him And the marital bliss continues. Personallt I support your take that "a cystoprostatectomy in my opinion appears a bit extreme particularly when it is non muscle invasive. I am tempted to consider the re-resection." My take for what you make of it is this: surgeons like doing surgery, eh?

It's true there could be a risk that subsequent surgery if the lesser measure failed to stop the cancer could be 'too late' etc but I don't think it is a huge one. Best wishes as you consider, and insist your team give you every answer you want before you settle for the course of action.

Denby

That’s sound advice Denby!

Thank you all for your comments I have a meeting on Thursday with the surgeon and your input has been valuable in clarifying the questions to ask. 

My husband's diagnosis was T2G3 with CIS, The surgeon recommended removal but my husband went for Chemo/radiation followed by BCG when the CIS returned. The constant monitoring is tense and not for everyone but my husband is happy with his decisions and is now 5 years on from the original diagnosis.

Good luck with your consultation.

Mo

Good luck with the surgeon,you should have all the pro’s and con’s of cystectomy explained fully and be able to ask questions.It must be very much harder having to make a choice.Best wishes Jane 

Hi Mo600, brilliant to hear your husband has enjoyed 5 healthy years after a pretty scary diagnosis. We are fortunate there are so many ways to treat this disease. As you have perfectly summed it up everyone has to decide what works for them. Seasons greetings H x