Can BCG treatment damage the bladder?
As a result of the intended immune stimulation and cytokine production, minor symptoms following BCG administration are common and usually manageable. These adverse effects include fever, malaise, and bladder irritation (urination frequency, dysuria, or mild hematuria).
How effective is BCG for bladder cancer?
Doctors typically use BCG immunotherapy to treat stage 0 and stage 1 bladder cancer. The 5-year relative survival rate for people with stage 0 bladder cancer is 95.4 percent . For people with stage 1 bladder cancer, this figure is 69.4 percent .
What are the side effects of BCG treatments?
What are potential side effects and complications of BCG treatment?
- Small amount of blood in urine.
- Low grade fever (99-100°F)
- Tiredness.
- Urinary frequency, urgency and burning with urination.
- Muscle or joint achiness.
How long does BCG stay in your bladder?
BCG can remain in urine for 6 hours after your treatment, so each time you urinate, you should bleach the toilet in your home to neutralize the vaccine.
Should I drink water after BCG treatment?
6. Repeat steps 3-5 for 6 hours after each treatment. 7. Drink plenty of fluids after your instillation to flush your bladder.
What happens if BCG does not work?
BCG failure is also associated with an approximately 50 percent chance of disease progression and poor prognosis. Radical cystectomy is the standard treatment when intravesical BCG therapy fails.
Does BCG treatment lower your immune system?
BCG is a commonly used vaccine against tuberculosis (TB) and contains bacteria from the same family as TB bacteria. This bacterium has been altered to reduce the risk of infection whilst retaining the ability to stimulate the immune system sufficiently for its beneficial effect.
How long after BCG Do you have a cystoscopy?
You will have a test called a cystoscopy about 6 weeks after each round of therapy. This test will check your bladder for any new tumours.
What is the success rate for BCG?
A recent study was published evaluating maintenance BCG therapy [23]. The authors observed a three-year recurrence free survival of 75.3% and disease-free survival of 96.1%. However, they reported a high complication rate of 81.5%.
What are the odds of bladder cancer returning?
Nearly three-fourths of patients diagnosed with high-risk bladder cancer will recur, progress, or die within ten years of their diagnosis.