Tips for a Healthy Future
Regular follow-up examinations are very important after treatment for bladder cancer, as it has a high rate of returning and may have no symptoms. Your doctor will need to talk with you about how you have felt, look into your bladder, check for cancer cells, and perform other tests. The usual follow-up schedule is monthly for at least 6 to 12 months.
Call your doctor at once if you experience any of the symptoms of bladder cancer:
- Blood in the urine
- A need to urinate often or urgently
- Burning and/or discomfort at urination
TICE® BCG, BCG LIVE (for Intravesical Use) is generally effective treatment for bladder cancer in many patients. Its record of success is high when treatment includes maintenance therapy.9 Your cooperation with your doctor in following treatment schedules and in keeping track of and reporting your reaction to treatment is very important in aiding your recovery from bladder cancer. Each patient’s experience with BCG therapy will vary, but keep in mind that many people continue with their normal activities throughout therapy.
References:
1. How many people get bladder cancer? http://www.cancer.org. Accessed June 26, 2007.
2. Do we know what causes bladder cancer? http://www.cancer.org. Accessed June 26, 2007.
3. What are the risk factors for bladder cancer? http://www.cancer.org. Accessed June 26, 2007.
4. How is bladder cancer staged? http://www.cancer.org. Accessed June 26, 2007.
5. Surgery. http://www.cancer.org. Accessed June 26, 2007.
6. De Jager R, Guinan P, Lamm D, et al. Long-term complete remission in bladder carcinoma in situ with intravesical TICE bacillus Calmette Guerin. Urology. 1991;38(6):507-513.
7. Lamm DL, Blumenstein BA, Crawford ED, et al. Randomized intergroup comparison of bacillus Calmette-Guérin immunotherapy and mitomycin C chemotherapy prophylaxis in superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Urol Oncol. 1995;1(3):119-126.
8. BCG Live (For Intravesical Use) Tice® BCG [prescribing information]. Roseland, NJ: Organon USA Inc.
9. Sylvester RJ, van der Meijden AP, Lamm DL. Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin reduces the risk of progression in patients with superficial bladder cancer: a meta-analysis of the published results of randomized clinical trials. J Urol. 2002;168:1964–1970.
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