1. Community
  2. Men's health
  3. Prostate Problems

Bladder Cancer

Posted , 5 users are following.

kenneth1955
kenneth1955

Some people may think I'm over reacting.    I have a friend that is going through bladder cancer.  He had a tumor on the one side of his bladder. He is having 6 treatments.      There spraying his bladder.  He does not remember what it call.     He told me has long as it get rid of the cancer cells.......................................................................................................... Now I just talked to him and his Doctor told him that if this does not work that they have to remove the bladder. He asked me to look into it.  Well I found some information.    There are 4 other treatments. The Doctor has not said anything about any other treatment............................................  Has far as I know the tumor was only on the one wall.  I will not go into the other treatments.     But with removing the bladder they also remover the prostate and the lymph nodes. In a women it's worse.     What kind of life are you going to have. You may be alive but your life will be a mess.  Sex is over.    Your going to be depressed and then some.    And you will lose control of going to the bathroom. To me that's not a life.  Women will not be into sex and men will not be able to.  The reason I found for this is not because the prostate and the lymph nodes have cancer that they may get cancer. Not they well.  I will not tell my friend what to do it's up to him and his wife. But if that ever happens to me they will never take my prostate. If they will not do the surgery with leaving the prostate then I will not have it.   I will take that chance.  Life is short.  You should enjoy it not sit in a chair and be depress about your life. I have been in the hospital 4 times over the last month and they don't like me to much because I read everything before I sign it and ask question before anything is done.This is my opinion.  All I ask of you men is that you get as much information you can before you let a doctor do anything to you. Know the whole story and if you understand ask again.  Once it's done you can't get it back.  Please.       Good health  Ken   

3 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • ianC
    ianC kenneth1955

    Posted

    I had/have bladder cancer, initially stage 4 metastatic and given only weeks to live - 8 years ago.  Fortunately I was too far gone for them to bother taking out my bladder (no point, as my cancer had spread to my lymph nodes).

    I do not know what 4 treatments you know of, but the radical cystectomy (RC -  taking out the bladder) you mention is indeed bad. Better than death for some, but as you say, not much of a life afterwards and the op and its aftermath itself is bad (50% are re-admitted into hospital within a month or so).

    The alternative (and now recommended) treatments (which depend on the severity of the cancer) are chemo and radiation. Even if RC is thought likely, then chemo should be tried first (if the cancer is not too bad, then either BCG or mytomicin-c is normally given; if advance, then gemcitabine and cisplatin (what I had).

    Your friend ought to get at least one other expert assessment; preferably 2 or 3 (I had 5 in total).

    Meanwhile he ought to change his lifestyle, if he hasn't already done so (along the line in my blog): this increases his chances of living longer, reduces the severity of any clinical treatment he has, and increases the effectiveness of that treatment.

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 ianC

      Posted

      Ianc I am glad your doing good.  Yes I think chemo and radiation is the first step after they take out the tumor.  There is also if the tumor is on one side of the bladder they can take that section out and close it you just have a smakker bladder.  There are a couple of more but I won't go into them.  If they get it soon your better off.  But my friends doctor has not said anything about any other treatment and I think that is wrong.  Take care  Ken 
  • gbhall
    gbhall kenneth1955

    Posted

    Indeed, taking responsibility for one's own treatment is sensible, but as you say, not likely to endear you to doctors. It is best to be informed and responsive without being overly obstructive, of course. A tricky balance. 

    Many people on here mention how prostate specialists in particular very, very often only push one solution at you. That is very unethical. You have made yourself and your friend aware of that, which opens quite a few doors. Well done.

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 gbhall

      Posted

      Yes thank you.  The more information you have is better for you. Know what they are doing to you before they do it.  And don't cry about it later  Take care  Ken
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.