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Recurrence

marthageorge
0 Recommendations

Dx with TA stage (high grade) bladder cancer in April, 2009. Went through the following procedures: Cysto's,
Turbs, CT Scans, 6 week BCG treatment's, second opinion. Final outcome: the Cysto's were clear, the urinalysis clear.... however, of the six biopsy's he took one showed a very small tumor (low grade). My urologist wants to start me back on the BCG with mitomycin starting in November. Has one else had the same experience? I am sort of puzzled as to how quickly this has come back. I asked if i would eventually lose my bladder and was told no. Just that I would have to have constant test for the next several years. Sure I can do that...
Thanks for all your input and support.
Sandy

Explore topics in this discussion:

Dehydration Cancer Chemotherapy Bladder cancer

11 replies

Karego

We learn quickly, after our initial shock regarding bladder cancer, that this cancer has a very high rate of recurrence. So, once diagnosed, we will always need a close watch. All Uro's need to have their patients on regular schedules to find any new occurences as they happen. Being pro-active is the key to keeping your bladder.
So, join the many, who do regular check ups insuring that they are catching any new recurrence before it has a chance to become invasive.
Sounds like your Uro is doing that for you.
Karego

LadyJane123

Sounds like you are in great hands. Recurrence is very common so we must be vigilant. I have had a receurrence each cystoscopy for the last 2 3/4 years. I have had 3 rounds of BCG and it did help. My tumour recurrences are now small and not as many. Going for my 8th TURB this month. I have the same type and grade as you. We'll fight the fight together.

joybob

I think you are ok doing the bcg again. You have low grade, my father had it for 30 years and kept doing what you are doing. My husband was not so lucy, he had bladder out 3 weeks again, it was high grade. But if it turns high grade then things are different. But that is a small amount of the time. I am sure you will be fine. Joycee

lsh

Sandy,

My uro at MDA believes in BCG maintenance for high grade tumors. He does 6 induction, and then 3 maintenance every three months for a year and then 3 maintenance every 6 months for up to the third year if the patient can tolerate the BCG treatments. He also believes in lowering the dose if the side effects are too bad.
This is a cancer that has a very high recurrence rate...thus the scopes every three months with cytology, FISH, etc. As stressful as the scopes are, we all want to find it while it is treatable if it is there!

Lynda

Cheyenne

Hi Sandy. First, yes, malignant tumors can come back rather quickly. Sometimes the recurrence is over many years, sometimes months or even less. With BC it is a life long process, always there will be needed cystos, cytologies, and others tests. Bladder cancer is forever. If one keeps on top of it he or she can go a real long time or even forever without an RC. There is always the risk of muscle invasion of course and therein lies the reason for really good follow up. If you have a really good urologist, appears you do, then just do what your uro tells you to do. Never be afraid of getting a second opinion. As far as BCG and MMC together, I don't know, one is an immunotherapy (BCG - a live but attenuated bacillus) and the other is chemotherapy (use of a chemical agent). I personally have not heard of the two being used simultaneously. There are other things, such as interferon with BCG (immuno therapy) and MMC, and the newly formulated Valstar and Doxirubicin and many others. My uro and my uro at MDA are not (in my case) in favor of the use of MMC. (my situation is different from yours so no direct comparison can be made). For me long term use of BCG (that is, initial followed by less frequent "boosters") is not suggested, but many people have done exceptionally well with the use of BCG over a periods of years. It's is very different from person to person with regard to immuo agents or chemical agents. What is not different is that we all absolutely must keep on top of it, forever. Never never let your guard down, never. The only thing I question is the use of BCG and MMC together. But different protocols are used for different people for different reasons.

Ciboney1

Hello:

What did Dr. Lee advise you to do?? I heard you refer to a male Dr. as in he. She was your second opinion, right..
My bladder Cancer was T1Grade3 invasive.
I have had 2 Turbs,stent for right kidney for 4 months, Cystos every 3 months since June 08, Mitomycin C for 6 wks and 6 wks of BCG and tried 3 wks of Bcg maintainence but could only take 2 of 3 because of reactions with my my liver. But am clear so far since Sept of 08, with exception of small spot they think is from dehydration. But watching it close... Dr. Lee suggested a RC if it returns. Because of my last reaction to BCG.
We know we have to be viligent with checkups so they can be on top of anything that shows up. Bladder Cancer has up to a 85-90 percent of reoccurance depending on what Grade and type you have...
Take care and know I am thinking of you.
Arlene

mycopper

My husband has had 5 cystos 1 bout of chemo and is in a clinical trials. appparently he got the placebo last time because he had tumors. He has and had low-grade and non-invasive tumors. His dr. is starting him on BCG for 6 weeks. We understand this procedure but my husband asked his Dr. what was next if that did'nt work and he said bladder removal. Of course thats all he heard. Is that really all? We coulnt get a clear answer from him.

LadyJane123

My uros just keep taking them out, non-invasive, low grade ( few high grade) and will continue to do so until I have no more. Then I'll be watched with regular cystos for the rest of my life. No bladder removal unless it becomes invasive.
I had 15 BCG in a year which seemed to slow down the amount of recurrence and the size of the tumours.

Here is the stats on non-invasive low grade.
The stats say that 90% of TA tumors recur, but less than 5% ever progress to a higher grade or become invasive. So I think your husband, myself and some of the other folks here are sitting in a good spot to NOT have bladder removal.

Moonerj

Hi Sandy
Sorry to hear about the recurrence, the good news its is low grade. I had 2 early recurrences after 12 BCG treatments. My dx also TA Low Grade.
Since my last 6 weekly BCG and 12 monthly maintenance treatments I have been cancer free nearly 23 months. After my last TURBT my Uro instilled Mitomycin C in the bladder for 1 hour and 6 weeks later I started the BCG. Clear cystos since.
Recurrences in TA low grade are common.
Hopefully the MMC and BCG does the job on your next round.
All the best,
BCG = Bladder Cancer Gone
Jack

Kyle-MO

Hi Sandy,
I have had 3 reoccurances in 2-1/2 years, and am currently on the bcg/ interferon treatments, and then will probably be put on maintenance treatments for a while.
Excellent information above ! Start saving all the information you can to help you through this journey, and to be proactive in your health care.
Take care,
Kyle

Memi

Hi Sandy, sorry about your recurrence, but sounds like your doctor is being agressive with treatment. My hopes and prayers are with you.

Memi

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Researchers are looking for bladder cancer survivors to complete a telephone survey. Click here for more information.

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