New here - 51M - 7cm tumor

Hi JMo51Male . Not sure if you missed your earlier replies HERE . The size is not as important as to how deep it has gone. Have you had a flexible cystoscopy (Camera in to the bladder) ?. Which is usually the next step. Have you had pre op assessment? Best wishes,

Hi Jm 

Sorry to read your recent issues I personally haven’t had experience of the size you mentioned but what I will say is that depending on what the findings are tumours also  grow toward the void of the bladder and size would not be as much of a issue if that’s the case as Rily says it’s depth that’s the important Bit there will be people that have had a larger size on the forum and while you are waiting for some feedback may I suggest reading some of the patient stories on Action bladder Cancer or Fight  bladder Cancer websites where I know there are peoples experience of a Larger Tumour and really positive outcomes for them 

Ste 

74M here. Please excuse the long reply.  In late July 2017 after a referral by my GP,  a suspected bladder tumour was confirmed a couple of weeks later when having u/s to investigate known kidney stones (initially thought to be the cause of bleeding) and confirmed by CT scan the same day. A flexible cystoscopy in the afternoon of that eventful day indicated a 'small' lesion. A TURBT was scheduled for three weeks later as a result. Pre-op assessment found a heart anomaly which required an echocardiogram appointment - the day before the scheduled TURBT! During the admission process on the TURBT date i.e. all gowned and getting ready for the theatre, the echo results arrived. The surgeon and anaesthetist both decided to call off the TURBT until cardiology had given further advice. A low red blood cell count assisted their decision. The surgeon surprised me by saying that the tumour size, 7cm,  was too great for a complete removal by TURBT. I queried this as I'd been told it was 'small.' He confirmed 7cm from his notes from the CT scan. Poor visibility during the flexible cystoscopy (from bleeding) led to the 'small' assessment. Treatment was diverted to oncology and radiotherapy, medium dose, was performed about 6 weeks later. I had three blood transfusions during the wait. Radiotherapy stopped the bleeding for about 3 months and a CT scan confirmed that it had destroyed >95% of the tumour. Bleeding symptoms returned, blood clots blocked my urinary system and I was admitted into hospital for unblocking and further transfusions. Ultimately, after a precarious 2 weeks in various wards, my condition demanded an emergency TURBT.  This was successful enough to allow my discharge after 3.5 weeks in hospital. About 3 months later another TURBT was performed to stop the moderate, continuous bleeding which had recurred. This was successful and I'm still here, living a fairly normal independent life, albeit with a permanent catheter (changed every 12 weeks or when blocked). I still have mild bleeding now and then and my treatment is 'palliative.'  My advice is therefore: Good options are available for dealing with 7cm tumours and, although the size is alarming at first, the lack of spreading in your case and mine is excellent news. Your consultants will guide you through subsequent treatment and help you to make choices based on the clinical perspective and your personal preferences. None of this is a walk in the park. This forum can give valuable support when required. All of my experience was with our excellent NHS despite the pressures on the system.