Hi, I had CIS about 10 years ago when I was in my early 40's, it was successfully treated with 3 years of BCG treatment. I had a rigid cystoscopy yesterday following routine cystoscopy a few weeks ago which picked up a red patch not thought to be scarring. I was told at the time of the CIS that if it came back I would require a cystectomy and I'm now so worried and dreading the biopsy results. I was hoping there may be other options if it has come back ?
Hi and welcome to the group, although sorry to hear you may have a recurrence. We know what an anxious time it can be waiting for results. I am over 7 years clear at the moment (touch wood). I was recently told by my oncologist that if my cancer ever came back, it would be treated as a new case. In other words starting from scratch and they would take it from there. So may be they will look at your case in the same way. Early days yet, so try not to overthink things at the moment, although I know how hard that could be. I hope all goes well. Best wishes.
No, you will not be required to do a cystectomy. If it turns out to be muscle-invasive, yes a cystectomy will be recommended. But, If it is indeed to be CIS or papillary type high-grade non-muscle invasive, your disease is classified as Late BCG Relapsing because it has been more than 1 year ago when you had the last BCG treatment and it had been clear till now. The treatment for Late BCG Relapsing is to start BCG treatment again. Hope the below chart helps. The chart is from a recent Canadian Urology Association. Dr. Peter Black is well known in NA for bladder cancer. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.../
