marieharvey
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Posts:48
Dr. West,
Someone from cancercommons.org suggested I ask my oncologist about receiving BCG treatments as a preventative measure for my cancer. Would you please give me your opinion? As of this moment in time, I am NED. Thanks, Marie
My history is as follows:
Nov 14 – diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma, tumor removed from ureter, stage 4 because in 2 of 21 lymph nodes.
No need to remove ureter, kidney or bladder.
Jan-Apr 15 – did four rounds of cisplatin and gemzar.
Jun 15 – cystoscopy and cytology clear.
Jul 15 – CT scan of chest and abdomen clear.
Oct 15 – scheduled for scan of just chest (I think oncologist thinks it may metastasize to lungs).
Dec 15 – scheduled for another cystoscopy and cytology; and I think maybe scan of abdomen.
Forums
Reply # - September 5, 2015, 03:26 PM
Hi Marie,
Hi Marie,
You probably know this much about the drug but thought I'd paste it anyway. "For the treatment and prophylaxis of carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the urinary bladder. For the prophylaxis of primary or recurrent state Ta and/or T1 papillary tumors following transurethral resection (TUR)." http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/ucm…
I'll ask our bladder/kidney cancer specialist to respond. It may take a day or so into the work week to get an answer. It's ok to bump the thread to the top of recent posts if you don't here back by then (post something in this thread even if it's just the word bump).
I'm glad to hear you're NED and hope you stay that way.
All best,
Janine
Reply # - September 6, 2015, 05:48 AM
Thanks so much, Janine.
Thanks so much, Janine.
Reply # - September 12, 2015, 11:14 AM
BCG would really only be an
BCG would really only be an appropriate consideration for a node-negative, superficial bladder cancer. Once a cancer has invaded the muscle of the bladder, and lymph nodes are involved, however, conventional IV chemo is appropriate, but there's no real value in focusing on the bladder lining once the cancer has invaded the muscle and the greater concern is systemic rather than local/superficial in the bladder.
Good luck.
-Dr. West
Reply # - September 12, 2015, 11:37 AM
Thank you, Dr. West, I value
Thank you, Dr. West, I value your opinion and appreciate you responding to my post.