Does anyone know of treatments more effective than BCG?

@michzn
One reason why Gem/Doce might not be used by some Centers is because the treatment room is occupied for longer than for BCG. It takes about 45 minutes for the pharmacy to prepare the doses in syringes and they don't start to do this until I am in the room. Preparation and insertion of the Foley catheter and the introduction of Gemcitabine takes another 20 minutes or so. Then I lie for an hour and the Gem is then drained off. My bladder is flushed with saline and the Docetaxel is introduced. I lie for another hour, then pee it out and go home. So, over three hours. If I didn't live an hour's drive from the Center I could go home with the Doce in me, but I prefer to stay. Apologies if I'm repeating myself from previous posts. I have an excuse - I am 85:-)

Hi, I underwent the full BCG treatments but they never worked for me. I have high risk, non muscle invasive.
I have been treated with Gem/Doc and my last 2 cystoscopies, a year apart have been clear of cancer. These was done using the Blue Light, which shows up any cancers.
Hope this helps.

Thank you very much for this information. It is very helpful. And it is wonderful to hear you are clear of cancer!

I read their website and it seems they promote a 3 day turnaround. Have you heard back? Hoping you receive clear, useful information you can put to work right away.

@mochat
Good news to hear of yet another person having success with Gem/Doc. Always encouraging to learn of an alternative to BCG if that fails.

Hope springs eternal.

I am doing same
Hope it works

Based on my experience, the BCG treatments have been effective for me with little to no side effects. However, this seems to vary between patients. Back in 2015, I had a small but aggressive tumor removed from bladder and started BCG treatment. I was cancer free for 7 years. Last year, a small tumor was diagnosed and removed via surgery. I am now on my 3rd round of BCG treatments which has shown to be effective via scopes. I am going in for a scope today and hoping to have a clean scope. If all looks good, I will continue to have BCG treatments.
There may be other treatments that are more effective but might have additional side effects.
Best of luck to you!
Tom S

@mochat Thanks for the update and glad you are doing well. Did the blue Light show ANY inflammation at all? For some unknown reason my CCF surgeon will not use blue light sighting whatever. My latest cystoscopy showed inflammation around the lesion site that was removed on 2/2. I am now having another resection tomorrow to biopsy the inflammation around the former lesion site. May I ask what healthcare facility you are in? Thank you

@tom26
I was so impressed to hear you had been cancer-free for 7 years.

Sorry to learn you had a small tumor last year but since BCG had been effective for you in the past, it seems reasonable to assume you will be clear once again following your treatments.

You are also fortunate that you fared well while on BCG and had no adverse reactions.

After completion of my 6 BCG treatments, a cystoscopy showed a lot of inflammation and a suspicious area (which he said might also be inflammation) and my urologist suggested we wait many weeks before having another scope.

I am feeling apprehensive about my forthcoming scope.

Sending my good wishes that the scope you just had will be a clean one.

@michzn
I hope the inflammation is shown to be only this and nothing else to be concerned about.

My scope following my 6 BCG treatments showed inflammation and I hope my next one does not reflect the presence of new tumors.

I wish bladder cancer was not such a devoted and faithful (but unwanted) "guest" who chooses to hitch a ride with us .

Sending best wishes.