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Has anyone not had any treatment after non-invasive tumor removed?
Bladder Cancer | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (70)Comment receiving replies
I did not have BCG after first TURBT. However, I had a recurrence at my 3 month cystoscopy. I chose to have 6 weeks of BCG after my second TURBT and 2 or 3 more 3 week treatments. I have been tumor free now for 18 months. Situations are different for different people, but I recommend BCG now rather than waiting. Hope you have success in obtaining a bladder clear of tumors whatever route you choose.
Replies to "I did not have BCG after first TURBT. However, I had a recurrence at my 3..."
@wifey9 I too had high grade bladder cancer. After tumor removal I chose BCG (6 treatments). Bladder cancer came back 6 months later and I had another surgery. They then suggested Chemo into bladder …that did not work, so I called Stanford in CA and they advised me to go back and do BCG treatments again as it does not always work the first time. They were correct!! I have been cancer free for over a year! I will go in for another Cystectomy to check in 6 mos..No 3 week maintenance of BCG is recommended unless cancer reoccurs.
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@wifey9 I'm in the better safe than sorry camp. 6 years ago I had the bladder cancer, had it removed and went through part of the BCG treatments only to have the availability of BCG dry up. The cancer returned 5 years later. So, the risk of the removal surgery maybe missing some of the errant cells, or whatever cause of the recurrence, is too high to risk. BCG treatments may be uncomfortably, but it beats the alternatives.