Bladder Tumour

Hi   Welcome to the community and our corner of it. Sorry to hear it looks like bladder cancer. Early days for you yet and we all know the emotions you are going through at the moment. Firstly, let me reassure you that bladder cancer can be treated successfully. Although you have had utrasounds, they are not ideal at spotting bc. The cystoscopy is the best diagnosis tool. A TURBT (trans urethral resection of bladder tumour) is a fairly routine up. Usually done in day surgery, but prepare for an overnight stay. The tumour will be scraped away and biopsies sent off for analysis. The results of the biopsy determines the next step. Many of us still here to tell the tale. Feel free to ask any questions, there will always be someone here with an answer. Best wishes.

Hi Ron100, just for comparison, my husband had had 'some growths' removed from his bladder years ago and no mention of cancer and no follow up provided either. We moved area and when the getting-up-at-night got too bothersome he saw the new GP. The cystoscopy, in which he was shown the screen, showed what he described as 'like the whole bladder was like an inside out cauliflower'. That was three /four years ago and the treatment [various Turbts, BCG then Mitomycin into bladder] has cleared it all up. Now he is just on 6-monthly checks. So he has seen our grandson grow from a baby up to being at school and soon his fifth birthday. While everyone's cancer and reaction to treatment is different, I hope this is some cheer for you.

Denby

Hi Ron100,Welcome to the group.Hopefully once you have had the TURBT done and the results you should have an idea of what treatment is needed.Most people feel much better once they know what is going to happen.We’ve experienced the sort of feelings you are going through and know how scary it all seems at first.This is a friendly supportive group and we are all here to help you through and answer any questions.Best wishes Jane 

Thank you for all the kind words and support. Its been a tough start  to 2021. Firstly I was bed ridden with Covid for 2 weeks in Jan/Feb, also was told I need Urethoplasty for the stricture and now this tumour/cancer. It has just been too emotional at the moment and I hope my outlook (i.e. come to terms with it) improves in the next few days. 

Hi Ron100. Sorry to hear about this. It is an extremely tough time for you. The not knowing is the worst. Please do get help - eg. Macmillan phone line, Action Bladder Centre. Maggie’s (if you are near one). Also try the hospital where you are having the TURBT as they are bound to have support there. I do hope you don’t have to wait too long. A cliche, but a day at a time. Try and fill your day with things to do. X

Hi Ron100

I know what you are going through. I can only agree with Rily about the success rate with BC. In fact when diagnosed, my GP said if he had to have cancer, it would be BC. 

Hi Ron100, 

I'm a newbie too. Female in my 40s with two young teens and I was petrified. I only went to the doctors on a whim so when I found out I had bladder cancer I was in bits.

Had my TURBT two weeks ago and have to go back in a month for a resection and to remove a stent that I had put in my ureta as the tumour had started to grow around it. Probably 6x BCG after.

Now the shock has subsided, I now feel incredibly fortunate that is been found and can be treated. As the doc said, if I'd left it even six months it could have been a very different story.

This forum saved me from going crazy in the beginning. The waiting for results sent me to the darkest places I've ever been but reading through people's stories on here really really helped.

Don't read Dr Google and just remember everything you do read is out of date! That also helped a lot!!

As my husband keeps telling me, we were there, now we're here and that's a good thing. You will see those kids of yours grow up!!

Reach out anytime. Everyone knows what you're going through.

Sara

Hi all

Thanks again for the positive responses, Its been a long wait (well a month) since the tumour was found. Since then I had my TURBT procedure and now have received my results. Although I had had feeling it would turn out to be cancerous, I was hoping it would be benign / chronic inflammation related to my uretha stricture. In any event, I was diagnosed with TaG1 which I should be 'happy' that its early stage but somehow its knocked me back again mentally.

My urologist says there is a 50% chance occuring within 3 months and 50% again after another 3 months (so 25% after 6 months) and so on - can someone here comment on this (as I've read differently)?

Also, after my TURBT I did not receive any IV chemo (which others seem to have received) so will this increase my chance of recurrence?

Many thanks 

Hi . A Mitomycin wash is not used in all cases. It is down to the surgeon to  decide whether it is necessary or not. Your diagnosis is very early stage and low grade. We've spoken about statistics on here many times and in the great scheme of things these figures do not mean much. Some people never have a recurrence while others have many. We have people who have had advanced and aggressive bc who have not had recurrence, and other with early stage who suffer with many. Really is pot luck. Although cancers are grouped together in various categories, no two are the same. We are all individuals. The good thing is that you should have regular flexi checks for several years and if it does come back, it can be dealt with early. Best wishes.

Morning Ron100,

I had my resection/stent removal (25cm long!! Who knew??) on Thursday and although I won't know for definite until the biopsy results are in the consultant was pretty sure that nothing has returned. I didn't have any IV treatment after either procedure. I guess the consultant takes a decision there and then. I will start BCG treatments in six weeks though. 

I totally echo what Rily says, no two cancers are the same and statistics are kind of useless (I've stopped reading anything to do with it). Just be thankful that they caught it early and can treat it, and if it comes back they'll treat it again. You're in a much better position than you were. That's my new mantra!!

Take care Ron100

Sara