Followup for Noninvasive High-Grade: Anyone chosen no more treatment?

Very people opt for no treatment when it is treated with BCG as it indicates NMIBC which has very high survival rates. And many people appreciate the efficacy of BCG despite the discomfort it may cause.

I am not sure why you are so fatalistic and keep repeating this in many other threads but it is misguided and rather offensive.

I sure didn't mean to offend anyone! I worked in healthcare for 40 years before retirement, and have seen a lot of patients go thru cancer. I had cancer & chemo at age 45. I'm a Christian, and at 76, don't think of it as fatalistic at all to at least encourage a 'look' at hospice care if needed. My stepson just died at 48 of cancer after increasingly aggressive chemo, long after Oncologists knew there was no hope of recovery. I'm just saying it's worth consideration. As for me, I would not choose to give up hobbies, dog walks and friend times (due to feeling sick) just to have an uncertain amount of future. It is a personal decision.

@openloc1949 and @jaxfl, I'd like to point out that the Community Guidelines ask to respect all members. In particular, guideline number 4 states:
"Show respect for members even when you do not share their views." read more https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/

It is vital that we respect people's choice with respect to treatment and choosing when to discontinue a treatment. It's a personal choice. My father, too, chose to stop maintenance chemotherapy treatment when the side effects outweighed his quality of life. We (my father, the family and his care team) knew that the chemotherapy was not considered curative for his cancer recurrence (colorectal). It was always his choice when to decide to stop treatment. We supported his choice and didn't consider it fatalistic. Wed had more than year with him going his way. 🙂

@openloc1949, palliative care provides symptom management and comfort care at any stage of disease. It is particularly helpful when treatment is no longer curative. People can choose to have palliative care at any time. Hospice care on the other hand is specifically for end of life, when life expectancy is 6 months or less. I agree that both care provided by palliative and hospice care teams are compassionate and worth looking into. They also support family members. It sounds like you've looked into this.

@jaxfl, you're right, when non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) does not respond to BCG treatment, there are still several treatment options available to explore. Some people choose to explore options available to them. Some may not.

@colleenyoung
Thank you, so well articulated. I meant the general term 'hospice', including all their programs.

@colleenyoung
Apparently from what Iam beginning to read, BCG treatment not only symptomatic but very expensive.

I am 78. Had surgery to remove tumor 2024. Had 6 BCG treatments after surgery but that failed. Had second surgery using blue light. Tumor returned - aggressive. Had third surgery June 2025. Lots of blood and passing bloodclots - not pleasant. After urine cleared, I had first Adstiladrin treatment July 2025. 3 months later cystoscopy okay. Thanked God every time I urinated - no blood. Had second Adstiladrin a week ago. Still grateful there is no blood in urine. I pray this is continuing to work for me and that it will help many others.

We're with you, and praying that is the perfect treatment for you! ❤️

@allenshirl

Did you have side effects during your BCG treatments?

While I will never tell anyone what to do except to tell my experience. So talk to a couple doctors and do the research. Do what you think is best for you. I also got so much good information on this site as well.

I am 74 and had the surgeries and BCG from Jan-Jun 2025. I have a history of cancer and have chronic kidney disease. Plus a few other health issues.
I like many others did a lot of research and had a second (3 for me) opinions. I stuck with my fist urologist since he was very upfront and told me a lot about my condition and suggested therapies. He also has a very good reputation for this cancer. At 74 I want to stick around for a while longer. All my research says I am a good candidate for the cysto and TURBT surgeries and the BCG Treatments. I was ready for the follow up BCG but I caught one of those antibiotic resistant infections and until I can clear that up with my Infection doctors all my other procedures are on hold.