Bladder Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

I have been dealing with prostate cancer since 2023. I had an RARP in 2023. The cancer returned in 2024 and I had 39 radiation sessions. Two months after the end of radiation I began having blood in my urine. My Radiation Oncologist said that it was likely due to the radiation and we would keep an eye on it. That was June, 2025. Yesterday I had a cystoscopy and learned I now have bladder cancer. I go in for a biopsy in March. I'm wondering if this cancer is either related to the prostate cancer or if it was caused by the radiation.

@grifftg07, treatment can be tough on the kidneys. I'm glad your team is monitoring their function. What is your follow-up program/testing? How are you doing?

I was diagnosed with high grade non-invasive bladder cancer in June of 2022. Within a week I had surgery to remove the tumor. Two or three months later I had another surgery to remove lingering cancel cells. I started my BCG treatments in November of 2022. In February of 2023 my first scope after my first series of BCG treatments revealed the need for a third surgery to remove small lingering cancer cells. I’ve continued scopes and treatments since then with no additional cancer. My next scope is scheduled for March 16th.

@raybnyc, sounds like your team is very thorough. To find discussions relevant to your situation, I suggest using the Bladder Cancer group search.
For example, here are search results for the search term T1: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/bladder-cancer/

I've finished my 6 treatments and now on 1st maintenance treatment next week. Check up yesterday told the doctor that my left ureter is still swollen so now they want to watch my kidney function. I'm not sure if I should worry about it or wait and see.

@pol7 I was diagnosed with NMIBC in October 2024. I will be 77 this summer. I am in otherwise excellent health. My original physician wanted to take a wait and see approach, going in for a cystoscopy every three months. I wanted BCG. He didn’t prescribe it. After a recurrence three months later, and a TURBT, he still wouldn’t budge. I ha another recurrence and then had six weeks of Gem/ Doce. My next cystoscopy was clean. Three months later, I had another recurrence. Clean the next time around. I changed physicians after the six week treatment regimen. I am glad I did. I tolerate the Gem/Doce reasonably well. But I am tired for a day or so after. The literature suggests that Gem/Doce may be nearly as effective as BCG. If it fails for me, I will go on BCG. Good luck.

@pol7 hi, they found a 3cm tumor on my left kidney in an are hard to reach through urethra. I had no symptoms at all. They watched it for 6 years without symptoms. It got to 5 cm and Dr decided to remove kidney as it was confined to my kidney and couldn’t be removed and save the kidney. That was 2 years ago. I have no limitations. Have gotten some urothelial cancer cell on bladder wall. All have been removed and started bcg treatments. You do what you have to do to beat. Everyone is different their bodies react differently. God bless. Harry

@janine1991 Thank you for sharing about the difference in catherization products. I have noted them for my up coming surgery on 2/2. I am so sorry you are dealing with blunders, it’s just so awful. Sending you strength.

@judyhigbee
I'm 78 years old and I've been dealing with bladder cancer since 2017 and have had several tumors removed over the years. In 2024 my annual scan found a tumor in my right kidney and 3 in the ureter. The kidney, ureter, and a small section of my bladder were removed. You can live with only one kidney. Good luck with your situation. 🙏🏻

@judyhigbee

Good afternoon, Judy,

I quit immunotherapy after five months because it was killing me; I couldn't eat, was exhausted all of the time, etc. That was last May & I asked the doctor at the cancer clinic how much time I'd have left, to which he said six months ot less. Since quitting that immotherapy, I've steadily regained my appetite, balance, and strength. In my opinion, I'm recovering from the immunotherapy, not the bladder cancer.

In hindsight, I would not endure that immunotherapy; it destroys quality of life, and the cancer wasn't known by me until my VA doctor found it, saying I'd probably had the cancer for many years. I had no symptoms. Yes, it's possible that the immunotherapy gave me a few more months of life, but it destroyed my quality of life. My appetite is slowly returning, my strength and balance, too. I lost 45 pounds during the treatment, but have gained 10 back.

The VA covered all of my expenses; however, the cost to my insurance for the immunotherapy was over $500,000, of which the VA paid all of the deductible.

Would I go through immunotherapy again? No way. Please let me know if you want more of my opinion on that issue. You can contact me through this site or private message for email.
In whatever you decide, God bless you & I wish you the best.