Bladder Cancer

[iksrawen]

I had a cancerous superficial bladder tumor removed 2 days ago. The doctor wants to see me in 6 weeks for a cistoscopy. He believes he removed all of it. So hopefully it will not return. Anyone with a similar experience please answer with your experience. Thanks.
Pete

[dcs171421]

Pete, best wishes. What was your doctor able to tell you after removing the tumor? Did he tell you if he could tell the approximate grade and stage of the tumor. They probably have an idea but I guess some doctors may not tell you much until the pathology report comes back. One tumor was seen on a cysto I had this week and I am to have surgery on 7/9 for it.
How long was it between you noticing the typical symtoms and having a cysto? I am worried that mine may have started last fall or so. I have frequent strong urinary urges early this year and in Jan or early Feb , I woke up with my underwear soaked. My internal medicine doctor put me on flomax in March but the nightime incontinence continued. I had the cysto on Tues of this week so I suspect the cancer was growing for at least 9 months.

Thanks,
David

[iksrawen]

David,

Good luck to you. I had no symptoms at all. I only noticed one drop of urine that seemed to have blood in it. I thought it was an infection, and my family doctor recommended me to a urologist. After a series of tests, MRI, catscan, etc., he did a cysto and saw the tumor. I subsequently had it removed and he told me it was a superficial tumor, stage 2 of three. I think that means it did not grow through the bladder muscle. I never had any other symptoms other than the drop of urine.
Six weeks after the operation, he did another cysto. We observed 2 small red dots. So I am now on antibiotics in case it is an after-operation infection. If it doesn't clear up, he then will do another cysto and do a biopsy.
I hope this info helps a little..Good luck to you and let me know how you make out.

Pete

[dcs171421]

Thanks, did he say he would follow you with cystos every 3 months or so for a few years anyway
David

[iksrawen]

David,

Yes he did, every three months for 2 years, then annualy...

Pete

[dcs171421]

Pete, the every three month cysto is what I read is common for a couple of yrs. Oh, I had asked you if the doctor was able to give you his opinion on the tumor after it was removed and before the pathology report came bacK. Like did he say what stage and level he thought it is after you recovered from surgery that day? Did he ever say what size the tumor was? I understand the larger it is the more chance it has gone into muscle.

Thanks,
David

[iksrawen]

Dave,

No, he didn't say what size it was. he said it was a superficial tumor and was completely removed. I think it stayed on the bladder lining. When I had my follow up cysto, the tumor site was clear. I'll ask him regarding the size when I see him in 2 weeks.

Pete