Anyone have radiation treated bladder removed?

Posted by journeynw @journeynw, 6 days ago

Was originally going to opt for tmt (radiate the bladder and try to keep it).
However, I ended up first in the hospital with cancer obstructing the tubes from my kidneys
They had to do nephrostomy (run tubes through my back directly into my kidneys with bags to empty.
Once that was done they irradiated my bladder anyway
I have since learned that the blockage nullifies the "tmt" approach. Apparently neither my oncologist nor radiologist understood this
So now I have a non working bladder and the surgeons in the area do'nt want to remove it
And I have some cancer back in the bladder
It seems to me that leaving the non working bladder is just adding risk? It also is easy to get bladder infections but the urologist says they can't check it.
Has anyone had their bladder removed after it had undergone radiation therapy. Ocr know of surgeons who will do this?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bladder Cancer Support Group.

jaxfl | @jaxfl | 6 days ago

Get second, third and fourth opinions. Preferably at a NCI hospital.

jowilliams1 | @jowilliams1 | 5 days ago

Your case is interesting. I think it's strange too that they don't want to remove the bladder. Did they explain why? Was it the complexity of the surgery itself?

I hope you can get a second opinion soon to weigh the risks/ rewards.

amu45sin | @amu45sin | 5 days ago

amu45sin here. Try and see another urologist at another facility. For a 2nd opinion and for what they recommend.
We don't have to stick with a doctor. You owe yourself to do this.