Newly diagnosed bladder cancer.
Hello everyone.
I never thought I would be joining a cancer forum at 40.
I have never had any surgery or medical issues in my life.
About 8 months ago I had some blood in my urine and went to hospital. They diagnosed me with a kidney stone. I continued to every now and then have minor blood at the end of my stream so I went to my GC. He sent me to a urologist and he did a cysto Friday. He asked me to look at the screen and told me the bad news. I have a tumor that looked liked cauliflower type thing.
Obviously with having 4 young children and a beautiful wife of 15 years it has hit me emotionally hard.
The dr had told me the treatment that he recommends which is the following.
- on the 24th of this month I will go to an outpatient facility to have the tumor removed.
- I will then have a chemo wash.
- every 3 months for next 2 years I will have a cysto to check for cancer then 6 months to a year for rest of life.
Does this sound correct? Is there a good chance of survival for me? The doctor said it looks as if the tumor is only on the outside wall.
I also got an mri ct scan and they said the cancer is only in bladder.
‘For all for those who love me I will work for their good’
Thanks and I pray for peace for everyone who gets the news.
Hello. No it is not the end of the world for you , yet i know you feel that it is. It always feels like this when someone gets the news. Did your doctor say anything about BCG treatment? Please know you can live life to the fullest with this cancer. You are in our prayers Lelee (Bladdercancer.net team member)
Hi. Thank you for writing me.
I have not talked any treatment other than removal vis surgery next week.
I believe the dr said once he removes he will send to lab to figure out what kind etc it is.
I was thinking he was probably waiting on that until he talks treatment.
That being said I was just diagnosed a few days ago and really have no clue what I am doing yet.
He did say he will shave off the tumor then give me a chemo wash inside the bladder.
He also said with the scope and the scans he believes it’s more on the outside wall but cannot tell me exactly how deep it goes. Once he shaves it he will be able to tell the depth.
He also said it looks like tumor is fairly large and as it’s been in there for a year or so but has grown out instead of deep but won’t really know until surgery.
Does this sound correct?
Thank you
@newly diagnosed. The process of you having a TURBT - which is the removal of tumors and followup test results sounds correct. There are different types of cancer cells so the tests results are important to show the direction your medical team will go with treatment options. Low grade versus high grade I believe will also be determined with results. High grade being the aggressive form. My suggestion is to try to not let this current lack of specific information run haywire with your thoughts. I know that is easier said than done. Personally my first TURBT confirmed the cancer diagnosis and my second TURBT a few weeks later confirmed the specific type - stage and grade of cancer. I had high grade T1 bladder cancer. Mine was non invasive but an aggressive form. After that I was given options for treatment and I went from there. I found others online and actually spoke to a few people on the phone. 7 years later I am still cancer free and plan to remain that way God willing. I know that the unknown can be stressful but if you have faith and confidence in your medical team they will help you navigate this journey. Please keep us updated and know that we are here for you during these challenging times. Linda ( moderator, Bladdercancer.net team member)
I was diagnosed July 30, so I am just beginning my education. You stated that the tumor was on the outside wall, but the articles I've read thus far usually discuss tumors on the inside. Are both types common?
Newly Diagnosed, it sounds like the tumor was non-muscle invasive, which means it was discovered early and is highly treatable. If it were indeed low-grade, it may also be highly recurrent, which is why the maintenance plan you described will provide the best chance to stay ahead of metastasis. I was first diagnosed 16 years ago with one small tumor. I had recurrences about every two years until 2012 and they thankfully remained low-grade. Only my last two TURBTs--each with multiple tumors--included chemo instillations, which might explain why I have gone 9 years without a recurrence until recently. I just had two papillary tumors and one flat low-grade tumor removed less than a month ago, and no follow-up with chemo or immunotherapy. So, I am concerned about recurrence but encouraged that all tumors have remained within the bladder lining. Take heart! Your outlook seems favorable. Enjoy your life and family. Stay on track with your maintenance plan. Be active and eat healthy. Keep living like you're alive! Because you are.
thanks for sharing. But it amazing how lot our journey starts off the same. Try to keep calm and know all is well. It's not the end of the world, it's time to start living. You are blessed that your doctor found it and it was on the outside wall. Lelee(Bladdercancer.net
