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I'm 82 years old and newly discovered bladder cancer. Thoughts??
Bladder Cancer | Last Active: Jun 16, 2024 | Replies (16)Comment receiving replies
Dear Teresa,
Thank you for offering your knowledge and connections on my bladder cancer that has been recently diagnosed by a clinic in Los Angeles. The bladder cancer was discovered when my primary care doctor ordered a renal ultrasound to see if my fairly high blood pressure could be improved by placing a stent in the renal arteries. The ultrasound detected a 3.7cm bladder mass. I really had no idea that I had a cancerous growth. There has been no indicators except frequent urination………no noticeable bleeding or discomfort.
In my first visit to Urology (post diagnosis) , I had the cystoscopy and a bladder wash. I have not gotten any feedback on that procedure. I fully expected that a urologist would explain what they have found so far and what plan they have to treat it. I am disappointed that I was not offered a consultation on anything that they discovered. The urologist assigned to my case only informed me that they will schedule a TURBT in the near future. I see now that it has been booked for this coming July and I am not at all certain that I want to proceed with it until I have a better understanding of what I may have to go through down the road. I would like to know if an MRI or other imaging procedures can tell me the stage or grade of my cancer before I agree to a TURBT. I want to know what all my options are before proceeding.
Considering my advanced age, there is a limit to what I would want to go through.
Thanks for helping me,
Lance
Replies to "Dear Teresa, Thank you for offering your knowledge and connections on my bladder cancer that has..."
Hi, Lance. You already have good basic advice from @hopeful33250 and @gently. Having "enjoyed" a TURBT myself a few years ago, my experience might be helpful to you.
During a cystoscopy of my bladder, a small tumor was detected on the internal lining and removed. A follow-up cystoscopy found a dozen more "epithelial" tumors. That prompted a TURBT procedure to remove the tumors, which were taken with minimal surgery and staged as medially malignant, but not particularly threatening because they too were epithelial (located on the surface of the inner lining of the bladder, found early before any had grown down into bladder muscles or beyond to other tissues).
Every year since, my urologist performed a cystoscopy to check whether any tumors have returned. None have, so I count myself as a full survivor of bladder cancer. The only after-effect of the surgery has been an urge to urinate more often than in the past, and I have dealt with that readily. Martin
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@namvet1965
Hello Lance,
Your concern about a more thorough consultation before receiving any more tests or treatments is understandable. It certainly is your right to have as much information as you can before deciding on how to proceed.
I would suggest that you seek a second opinion. If you live near one of Mayo Clinic's three locations, this would be a great place for a consultation. Here is information on how to obtain an appointment at any Mayo location, http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63. If an appointment at Mayo is not available, a university medical school or another research-oriented facility would also be a good place to find a second opinion. You might also consider contacting the American Cancer Society, here is a link to their website where they have a cancer hotline, https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services.htm) where you might find a referral for a specialist in your area.
Have you considered getting a second opinion?