Treatment

Hi Anon_for_patient and welcome to the group. A TURBT procedure (trans urethral resection of bladder tumour) is a rigid cystoscope done under general anaesthetic where the offending cells are scraped away. BCG is an immunotherapy treatment used to mop up any rogue cells and help prevent recurrences. A treatment that has been used for over 50 years. Bladder cancer has a high rate of recurrence. Some people have frequent recurrences while others may have none. I tend not to use the term cured because of the possibility of it coming back. I like to say I am clear at the moment and have been for several years. Not sure of tumeric. Always best to check with the medics before using any complementary as some can affect treatment. Best wishes.

Hi Anon,

My diagnosis was grade 3 high grade non evasive.

Had my 1st TURBT in December last year and 9 BCG treatment's since.

So far I've been given the all clear.Although I have my next procedure on 10th November and I have everything crossed that the biopsy comes back clear again.

So although it's early days for me, everything seems to be working well.

I wouldn't use the term cured, as I'm very aware it can come back.

Since my diagnosis I've changed my diet massively. Given up a lot of things like processed meats and cheeses. Also fizzy drinks even tea and coffee. I googled "what is carcagenic" then went overboard. Part of me thinks life is too short and why bother, but I'm really not missing any of it.

I really hope your friend's treatment goes well.

Kindest Regards.

Thank you BFG! 

Thank you Rily! If I am worried this much, the person, who is the loved one and suffering from cancer, it must be a lot worse. There is so much advancement on healthcare and I just don't understand how no one has found a cure for cancer.

Hi Anon_for_patient . We know that this thing has far reaching effects on loved ones and friends and so you are not alone. As  far as advancement in  treatment, we know research in to bladder cancer is underfunded compared to others even though it is one of the most expensive to treat owing to long term follow ups etc. Best wishes.

Hello ,

The patient had their fourth BCG yesterday - The way I understood this they had "cathedrar" (sorry not sure if I spelt that correct!) inserted and was advice to hold as long as he can. 

He held it for around 1 hour 33 minutes but due to pain he stopped. He is suffering from a lot of pain due to this especially when urinating. Is this normal?

Hi Anon_for_patient . It is recommended to try and hold it in for 2 hours, but it is not unusual for people not to be able to hold it that long. The symptoms can build up as the treatment  goes on. It is important to drink plenty of water. Always the possibility of an infection, so have them drop a sample at GPs. Best wishes.

Thanks Rily

Hi Anon_for_patient, I had 27 doses of BCG over 3 years. I generally could hold it for full 2 hours, which is what my nurses recommended, but I recall one occasion when 1 hour 30 mins was the max and my nurses weren't concerned. I always drove home after dose inserted which took one hour, then sat in front of tv for second hour. After that it's drink drink drink to flush the bacillus out. No cancer patient ever feels they can rely on being "cured" but I'm still going 6 years after diagnosis. Best wishes H  

Thanks Herothedog. If you don't mind me asking how old are you? The person I am referring to is 74 and Male. I am not sure if the tolerance of BCG is down to the age or not. 

I spoke to him today and he says the pain hasn't gone away. I hope it does by tomorrow.