Dad just diagnosed....

Jaime4
Jaime4 Member Posts: 20 Member
edited March 2014 in Bladder Cancer #1
My Dad had a mass removed on Wednesday. Today he went back to see the doctor and was told he has stage 3 cancer and to come back in 2 months for a recheck. He was also told they may have to "pump" some chemo into his bladder at that time. I don't understand how they could have given him a stage if they didn't remove any lymph nodes. I do understand a little about cancer because I'm a 46 yr old survivor of colon cancer and have been for 14 months. They will be getting a second opinion. Can anyone give me some information to help us understand what is going on and is this a "normal" way to handle it? Thank you so much for listening.
Christine

Comments

  • CynthiaA
    CynthiaA Member Posts: 20
    #2
    Staging & Chemo for bladder ca
    Bladder cancer is staged differently than other cancers. First, find out what type of bladder cancer your Dad has. I was diagnosed with Papillary Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder which was still contained inside the bladder itself. After surgical removal of the mushroom shaped growths from the inside of the bladder lining and several reocurrances, I was first given a biological called BCG (Bacillus-Calmette-Guerin...live TB virus) 'intravesically' (infused directly inside the bladder and not through the veins or a port). At that time (1996) it was considered the best treatment available. When I couldn't tolerate the full regimen of treatment, they resumed removing new growth via cystocopy directly inside the bladder. After several years and more reoccurances I was given chemotherapy (Mytomicin-C) once again via 'intravesical' infusion. Having said all that, I would suggest you go to the American Cancer Society website and look up the specific type of bladder cancer your Dad has and how it is Staged and Treated. I hope that some of the terms I have used will help you in your search. As with all cancers, each has its own unique character and treatment, and writing down some questions after your 'search' that you can ask Dad's Doc about should help all to better understand the disease. CA
  • Jaime4
    Jaime4 Member Posts: 20 Member
    #3
    CynthiaA said:

    Staging & Chemo for bladder ca
    Bladder cancer is staged differently than other cancers. First, find out what type of bladder cancer your Dad has. I was diagnosed with Papillary Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder which was still contained inside the bladder itself. After surgical removal of the mushroom shaped growths from the inside of the bladder lining and several reocurrances, I was first given a biological called BCG (Bacillus-Calmette-Guerin...live TB virus) 'intravesically' (infused directly inside the bladder and not through the veins or a port). At that time (1996) it was considered the best treatment available. When I couldn't tolerate the full regimen of treatment, they resumed removing new growth via cystocopy directly inside the bladder. After several years and more reoccurances I was given chemotherapy (Mytomicin-C) once again via 'intravesical' infusion. Having said all that, I would suggest you go to the American Cancer Society website and look up the specific type of bladder cancer your Dad has and how it is Staged and Treated. I hope that some of the terms I have used will help you in your search. As with all cancers, each has its own unique character and treatment, and writing down some questions after your 'search' that you can ask Dad's Doc about should help all to better understand the disease. CA

    Thank you!
    Thank you for your reply. It was very helpful. We will be calling the doctor tomorrow to get set up with a second opinion and to find out what type of bladder cancer he has.
    Christine
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #4
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