New Cancer Patient

Good to hear you are doing well and receiving excellent care.Best wishes for the rest of your treatment.Love Jane 

I have just undergone the follow up cystoscopy after the 6 weeks of BCG which was completed at the end of November 2023. Two very small “tumours” in the bladder were identified. These will be burned out by a urologist in his clinic in a couple of days which I understand is a very simple procedure (much easier on patient than the TURBT). Although the findings this morning were not perfect, I am immensely relieved and pleased that my BCG treatment schedule can continue at the end of February. I also am hopeful now that I may beat this in the coming months and years. Having a reason to hope makes all the difference in the world. I know all of you understand this all too well. This has been a good day for me and I am very thankful. 

CDN the lingering pain in the end of the penis and at the base of it wee rage same for me. My TURBT took quite a long time - well over two hours. So I suppose the penis got a bit of a bashing.

I didn’t start to feel back to normal after the TURBT for 2-3 months. It wasn’t really pain but periodic discomfort from the urethra having been stretched by the rigid resectoscope sheath and likely also the large catheter used to irrigate the bladder after the procedure. The sensation was most noticeable at or near the glans and near or at the prostate. I intentionally mentioned it here on the forum with some descriptive detail out of concern that it may indicate a problem not commonly associated with the procedure. Thankfully, I was reassured by one or two of the guys that my experience was not unique and would resolve in time, and it did. From my own research, I learned that a man’s urethra is narrowest at the glans and at the prostate which means that these two areas are stretched the most by the inserted instruments and catheters. I think this is why I felt the effects most in these areas. Perhaps most guys are not interested to know all this but as this was new to me starting last August, I was often stressed and worried in addition to still being in shock at the new diagnosis at the time. Also, I want to benefit from the wisdom of others here if I am misunderstanding anything to do with the diagnosis or treatment and aftermath. Others may find it helpful as well. 

Although the tumours are located in the bladder, the route of examination and assessment, diagnosis, intervention and treatment, and follow up is almost entirely through the urinary system afterward (I say almost as this isn’t the case concerning some scans). As a result, it is understandable (and probably inevitable) to become preoccupied with our own anatomy affected by this difficult diagnosis. I know there may be a few “rolling eyes” at times at some detail I include, but I am sure I am not the only one who has had these experiences and questions, and needs some reassurance at times. I knew nothing about any of this before “the bomb dropped” for me last year. Take care, my friend.

Yes CDN, this is exactly the same as I, so you are not alone. A small but somewhat uncomfortable price to pay for life saving treatment.

Hi CDN,Best wishes for your tumour removal.I have had various suspicious areas burnt away over the years before bladder cancer.It doesn’t take long.Jane 

My first 2 TURBT's I stayed overnight with a catheter embedded and felt pain in the glans region for weeks afterwards. The last TURBT was a day case with no catheter left in for an extended period, and back to normal straight away with no residual urethral or glans pain. From my experience, I propose that its either the catheter left in for an extended period post procedure, or the care of the surgeon that makes the difference in respect to urethral and  glans pain. The third TURBT was a different surgeon.

I had three very small tumours burned away about two hours ago at the urology clinic. The procedure was straightforward and minimally disruptive (slight pinching-like pain when tumour is targeted). The urologist was superb and I am very pleased at the procedure and outcome. I also am immensely thankful for ready access to this option. 

Great work

Hi CDN,Good to hear those tumours have gone.Best wishes Jane x