Will surgery for bladder cancer make Crohn's worse?

Posted by jenali @jenali, Mar 21 12:10pm

I'm writing this hoping to get some help for my father. He's a 78 year old man currently going through chemotherapy for bladder cancer. After he's done with the treatment they are recommending cystectomy. He's not opposed to the surgery itself, but he also suffers from Crohn's and wants as much information as possible if the surgery will make his Crohn's worse. Can anyone offer me some advice that I can pass on to him. Thank you in advance. He's meeting the surgeon on April 11th.

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sepdvm | Mar 22 8:53am

Hello @jenali, I'm so sorry your Dad is going through this. I hope someone on this forum can share their experience to help. I think that is a good question for the gastroenterologist who manages his Crohn's. There should also be a discussion about whatever medications he takes for the Crohn's and how that may be used throughout the surgical and post surgical periods. A pharmacist's opinion can be helpful here. With so many specialists it is harder to get the answers we need as they are hesitant to reach out beyond their areas of expertise.

jenali | @jenali | Mar 24 2:27pm

My dad is 78 years old and is currently going through chemotherapy for bladder cancer that has affected the muscle of the bladder. After his treatment they are recommending a radical cystectomy, which they told him means removing his bladder, part of his small intestine and part of his prostate. He has Crohn's and he's worried this will make his Crohn's worse. The doctor's he's spoken to are more concerned about removing the cancer than his Crohn's. He has spoken to his oncologist about his worries, and was told this was the "best successful treatment out there". He meets the surgeon on April 11th. Is there anyone out there that has gone through what he's going through that can offer some advice on what they did/went through. What he should ask the surgeon? Anything can help...please. I'm an only child and my parents are everything to me and I want to help him anyway I can.
Signed,
Jennifer-A scared/concerned daughter

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | 7 hours ago

Hi @jenali, I updated the title of your discussion to reflect the specific question in the hopes of getting more answers from fellow members.

You're doing well to prepare a list of questions for the upcoming appointment. Even the act of creating a list can help organize one's thoughts and stop the endless loop of concerns swirling in your head.

I know you'll do this, but be sure that his surgeon is aware that your dad has Crohn's. Your questions here are a good beginning of a list.
- How will removing his bladder, part of his small intestine and part of his prostate after managing Crohn's?
- Currently, my dad manages Crohn's by _______________. Will this be different after surgery? What does he need to know?
- Should my dad work with oncology pharmacy to reconcile medications?
- What else do we need to know?

What questions would you add, Jennifer?