I Finally Had My 6-Month Followup

As we all know, I should have had my first maintenance cystoscopy 3 months after TURBT in June. However, due to delays in seeking a second opinion, it got pushed further out.

Well, yesterday's exam revealed another strange recurrence: a tiny papillary in the middle of a CIS patch. It is similar to and near the one that was removed earlier this year. It has been described as a carpet of abnormal cells. My urologist is concerned that the papillary is a growing tumor but wonders if the CIS patch might be precancerous. She mentioned squamous, although I don't know why. It is my impression that squamous relates to skin cells. I will wait for the biopsy to give better details.

In the meantime, we have planned a blue light cystoscopy to more accurately examine my malignant bladder. During the procedure, we will lightly shave the 3cm spot (like the previous one) and follow up with a dose of intravesical chemo. I might have to wear a catheter in place for a while...again.

My concern after the last TURBT was that chemo had not been instilled. I now know it was because my already thin bladder wall had been further thinned out by the shaving. So, the drug could have leaked through the lining into muscle and other parts of my body. But we still need to prevent recurrences from the stray cells after TURBT.

Since I've experienced chronic bladder cancer for 16 years, my urologist suggests it is time to try 6-week gemcitabine induction afterward. Although I do not enjoy intravesical chemo, I am inclined to concur. After all, the goal is preventing progressive disease.

BladderCancer.net community, I welcome your experiences with recurring bladder cancer and treatments.