Recuring Bladder Cancer

I was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer 2 years ago.  My bladder and prostate was removed and the bladder rebuilt [neobladder].  At that time no indicationds were in the lymphnode samples, that the cancer went outside of the bladder.  I went through a preventive chemo [Cisplatin and Gemcitabin].  After that I got the routine three month checks.  Everithing seemed fine up till now.  I just had the fourth check [one year after chemo] and small growth in th lymphnodes showed in the CTScan.  They did byopsy and detected bladder cancer cells in there.

From anybody who has had symilar story and has knowledge what to do next I would like to get in touch and discuss the situation

George

Hello,

   Sorry to hear you are having  reoccurance of the bladder cancer. I was P3N0M0 at bladder removal/neobladder in March 2007. I also did 4 rounds of cisplatin/gemzar. You did not say how many lymphnodes were removed at cystectomy - they took 25 on me. I have an enlarged node near the aorta - it is not operable or even able to be biopsied as it is too close to the aorta. I am getting my 6 month check soon and they are doing a full body ct to measure it. Please post and let me know how you are doing and what they are doing, Best to you, Holly

On 9/9/2007 Hgeorge wrote:

I was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer 2 years ago.  My bladder and prostate was removed and the bladder rebuilt [neobladder].  At that time no indicationds were in the lymphnode samples, that the cancer went outside of the bladder.  I went through a preventive chemo [Cisplatin and Gemcitabin].  After that I got the routine three month checks.  Everithing seemed fine up till now.  I just had the fourth check [one year after chemo] and small growth in th lymphnodes showed in the CTScan.  They did byopsy and detected bladder cancer cells in there.

From anybody who has had symilar story and has knowledge what to do next I would like to get in touch and discuss the situation

George

Hello, There is a product out there that works it is called Cantron. you can look it up on the internet.  www.cantron.com   I have also heard that having a P.E.T. scan is the way to go about finding out were exactly the cancer is. God bless you.   rosie. my husband was just told he has bladder cancer and he just started taking cantron in a month he will have the p.e.t. scan which will show if there is any cancer let. cancer survives on STRESS.

On 9/13/2007 Bloomin64 wrote:

Hello,

   Sorry to hear you are having  reoccurance of the bladder cancer. I was P3N0M0 at bladder removal/neobladder in March 2007. I also did 4 rounds of cisplatin/gemzar. You did not say how many lymphnodes were removed at cystectomy - they took 25 on me. I have an enlarged node near the aorta - it is not operable or even able to be biopsied as it is too close to the aorta. I am getting my 6 month check soon and they are doing a full body ct to measure it. Please post and let me know how you are doing and what they are doing, Best to you, Holly

Dear Holly,

Thanks for answering my message.  I do not remember being told how many nodes were removed when I had the opertion, but it was not much and was negative.

I got the Cisplat/gem as a "preventive" treatment incase there were some cells out there.  Every three month I had the routine post-chemo test, which included blood and urine [FISH] test, CTScan of the abdomen, Full body nuclear bone scan.  Now a year later it looks there were some and they did not respond to the Cisplat/Gem.

I am about to begin an other regimen of chemo; MVAC.  It is much more agressive and I hope it will work.  It will take 3 -4 month to complete this chemo and after that we'll see.

George

Hi there:)

  Glad you are starting on MVAC - it is stronger and seems to be a good plan. I didn't think they would recommend radiation treatments as they can "fry" so to speak - the neobladder.

 I asked about how many lymphnodes were removed because I have read studies where the more nodes they take the lower the recurrance rate. It has to do with removing undetectable micromets before they can do damage. Then mopping up with gemzar/cisplatin is recommended. Most larger cancer centers try to remove more nodes because of this.

  I did have my 6 month check at Mayo's in Rochester - all is looking good! My lymphnode has not grown - good sign. And they determined my bone tumor is benign - prior to this is it looked like mets. I am well pleased with the results.

 It might be helpful for you to check out another website ....

bladder cancer web cafe

they have a very active section on metastic bladder cancer and alot of support from others who are dealing with similar or have dealt with it.

  You will be in my prayers - God Bless,  Holly