Homepage – Forum › Forums › Newly Diagnosed With Bladder Cancer › Waiting for info!
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PauletteP.
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July 25, 2017 at 2:44 am #8749
PauletteP
ParticipantI’m feeling rather stressed, a month ago I noticed blood in my urine, went to Dr was put on antibiotics…I had no symptoms of a UTI? All seemed fine, couple weeks went by blood in urine again, antibiotics and Dr ordered an ultrasound of bladder. Results came back showing 18mm Tumor in lower part of bladder. I’m seeing a urologist tomorrow and am wondering if anyone can tell me what I should expect? I have heard cystoscopy may be first step to finding out if this is cancerous or not.
I’m hoping for the best and preparing for the worst!!July 25, 2017 at 11:56 am #21790Jack Moon
KeymasterHi Paulette
Welcome to bladder Canada Canada. You are correct, the 1st step is a cystoscopy. This procedure takes only 5-10 minutes, it is uncomfortable but not painful. The Urologolist will have a look inside your bladder and if a tumor is there he will then schedule you for surgery to remove it. The tumor will be then sent to the lab for testing to see if it is in fact cancerous. The lab will then send a pathology report back to your Urologist giving the results. If bladder cancer, the report will show the type of bladder cancer, stage of the tumor (depth), and the grade of the tumor. This information is used to determine a treatment plan.
If caught early bladder cancer is easily treated, so I recomment you take this 1 step at a time and try to have a positive outlook. Be very careful what you read on the internet as much of the information may not pertain to your situation. Everyone here on the forum has gone through what you are about to, so when and if you have questions we are here to share our experiences.
I was diagnosed in 2005 and after treatments I have been cancer free since 2007.
Keep us posted and all the best,
JackJuly 25, 2017 at 12:48 pm #21792PauletteP
ParticipantThank you Jack for the information and support. Keeping positive thoughts that all goes well today.
July 25, 2017 at 4:08 pm #21793marysue
ParticipantHi Paulette:
Welcome to Bladder Cancer Canada but sorry that you may have need of us. Jack has given you the best possible advice and first stage information. In the early stages of this game it is very easy to feel anxious and overwhelmed. Back in 2008, I was where you are now waiting for my first cysto to confirm what had been seen on the ultrasound. I remember going almost completely bananas with the “what ifs” and the unknown. But you have an advantage that we didn’t have….Bladder Cancer Canada. I had absolutely no one to talk to. Finding this site was a godsend.
I had surgery to remove the tumours, followed that with BCG immunotherapy like Jack did. Did a repeat surgery and more treatments in 2010 when I had a small recurrence. Everything was early stage and I’ve been cancer free since 2010 and am down to yearly checkups.
Waiting for your first surgery, should that be necessary and of course the pathology results is the hardest part. As we’ve said to many others, don’t research madly on the Internet, take it one step at a time. We’re here for you and can answer questions as they come up. Please stay in touch and let us know how it goes. Positive thoughts and prayers coming your way. ((((((HUGS)))))
July 25, 2017 at 7:11 pm #21794john_hl_page@hotmail.com
ParticipantI want to post some great news about a new treatment for bladder cancer.
Theralase Achieves Exploratory Endpoint of Efficacy for Anti-Cancer Technology
V.TLT | 8 hours agoTheralase Achieves Exploratory Endpoint of Efficacy for Anti-Cancer Technology
Toronto, Ontario (FSCwire) – Theralase Technologies Inc. (“Theralase®” or the “Company”) (TSXV: TLT) (OTCQX: TLTFF), a leading biotechnology company focused on the commercialization of medical devices to eliminate pain and the development of Photo Dynamic Compounds (“PDCs”) to destroy cancer is pleased to announce that at the Maximum Recommended Starting Dose (“MRSD”) (0.35 mg/cm2) of its lead compound, TLD-1433, at the ninety (90) day cystoscopy analysis, the Company has achieved the exploratory endpoint of efficacy in patients inflicted with Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (“NMIBC”).
These three patients come from a population that has failed standard of care and have remained drug resistant after the standard first line Bacillus Calmette Guérin (“BCG”) course of treatments.
The exploratory efficacy endpoint is being reported at ninety (90) days, in the first 3 patients treated, in the first part of a Phase Ib clinical study (“Study).
The Study is entitled “A Phase Ib Trial of Intravesical Photodynamic Therapy in Patients with Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer at High Risk of Progression Who are Refractory to Therapy with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (“BCG”) and Who are Medically Unfit for or Refuse a Cystectomy.
The Study is being used to evaluate TLD-1433 for the: primary endpoint of safety and tolerability, secondary endpoint of pharmacokinetics (movement and exit of drug within tissue) and exploratory endpoint of efficacy.
The Company previously announced on May 26, 2017 that the primary and secondary objectives for the first three patients treated in the Study had successfully been achieved.
The exploratory outcome endpoint in the Study is Recurrence-Free Survival (“RFS”). RFS is defined as the interval from Day 0 (Day of treatment with TLD-1433 Photo Dynamic Therapy (“PDT”)) to documented recurrence or death from any cause, whichever occurs first. Recurrence is defined as any new tumour growth (i.e. any biopsy-confirmed new or recurrent tumour), evaluated at ninety (90) days for the first three (3) patients treated at the MRSD (0.35 mg/cm2) and primarily at ninety (90) days for the next six (6) patients treated at the Therapeutic Dose (0.70 mg/cm2) and secondarily at one hundred and eighty (180) days post treatment.
The first three (3) patients have demonstrated no recurrence of NMIBC lesions at the ninety (90) day cystoscopy analysis. One patient has presented with some reddened areas of the bladder wall, which will be biopsied at a future surgical date. Further clinical analysis will be conducted on the patients according to the approved clinical protocol.
An additional six (6) patients for the second part of the Study, are currently being enrolled, to be treated at a Therapeutic Dose of the PDC (0.70 mg/cm2) for NMIBC, using its novel PDT technology.
Dr. Arkady Mandel, Chief Scientific Officer of the Company stated, “The achievement of the exploratory outcome measure of efficacy for the treatment of NMIBC at ninety (90) days, in the first three (3) patients treated, for the first part of the Study, by the Company is extremely encouraging. I look forward to following the clinical reports and complete patient data to further validate these results at the scheduled clinical analyses defined by the approved clinical protocol.”
Dr. Mandel continued, “Theralase’s PDT approach is demonstrating remarkable safety, tolerability and efficacy for the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (“BCG’) refractory and highly recurrent papillary (Ta) transitional cell carcinoma NMIBC population. Since the PDT procedure has been well tolerated and patients are able to undergo a repeat of the procedure, if required, this PDT treatment offers considerable therapeutic advantages.”
Roger Dumoulin-White, President and CEO of Theralase stated that, “The Company is ecstatic that after decades of hard work the Company, in the first 3 patients treated, at the 90 day cystoscopy follow-up, at a MRSD (0.35 mg/cm2) of TLD-1433, that the primary endpoint of safety and tolerability, secondary endpoint of pharmacokinetics (movement and exit of drug within tissue) and now exploratory endpoint of efficacy have been achieved. I wish to thank the entire Theralase board and employees, the clinical and scientific team and the Medical and Scientific Advisory Board, who have provided their knowledge, experience and worked tirelessly to make this day a reality.”I know it’s early and new……….but it’s happening right now , a tiny Canadian company is doing it
July 25, 2017 at 7:57 pm #21795Jack Moon
KeymasterThis is great news, any new treatment that reduces or stops recurrences is a very welcome addition to current treatments. I met with Roger in 2010 when this research was in the early stages and so happy that the research has advanced to success with patients. Many patients can not tolerate BCG or even reduced BCG treatments and are left with so few options. Hopefully this treatment becomes an option.
Thanks for posting,
JackJuly 25, 2017 at 9:21 pm #21796PauletteP
ParticipantThank you MarySue for your encouragement. It has been helpful to post on here and get some information. Urologists appointment today was very encouraging. I am booked for the cystoscopy on Aug 15. I shall take the advice given, one step at a time!
July 26, 2017 at 2:41 pm #21800john_hl_page@hotmail.com
ParticipantThanks for the reply Jack I am glad you met Roger and were already aware of Theralase ……….it is a big deal and the treatment is painless and quick.
Our doctors………not typically a hyper bunch are using some strong language
Dr. Arkady Mandel, Chief Scientific Officer of the Company stated, “The achievement of the exploratory outcome measure of efficacy for the treatment of NMIBC at ninety (90) days, in the first three (3) patients treated, for the first part of the Study, by the Company is extremely encouraging. I look forward to following the clinical reports and complete patient data to further validate these results at the scheduled clinical analyses defined by the approved clinical protocol.”
Dr. Mandel continued, “Theralase’s PDT approach is demonstrating remarkable safety, tolerability and efficacy for the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (“BCG’) refractory and highly recurrent papillary (Ta) transitional cell carcinoma NMIBC population. Since the PDT procedure has been well tolerated and patients are able to undergo a repeat of the procedure, if required, this PDT treatment offers considerable therapeutic advantages.”
July 27, 2017 at 1:02 pm #21801Ruth
ParticipantHi Paulette
I was exactly in your position last November when blood showed up in my urine. After an ultrasound, a tumor was detected. My urologist did his thing by the scope and removing it through the TURBT procedure. Thankfully mine was low grade, and not invading the muscle. Been for my first followup check, and it was clear. Next scope is in September and god willing, it, too, shall be clear.I thank my lucky stars for our wonderful health care system in Canada and with the required followup procedures, if it shows up again, it can be treated early and quickly.
Good luck with your upcoming procedure on the 15th. Please keep us all posted!!July 28, 2017 at 2:09 am #21802PauletteP
ParticipantThank you Ruth for your support. Knowing others have been here where I am and doing well makes me feel encouraged. The negative thoughts do creep in a lot and staying positive sometimes is a challenge. I’m carrying on as usual with life and enjoying the good things I have. We are so lucky to have the health care available to us here in Canada!
July 28, 2017 at 12:46 pm #21803Ruth
ParticipantHi Paulette
Always here to be a support system. Sometimes, those of us, who have experienced it first hand, can relate better. If you need to discuss further, or just want to share the journey, feel free to send me a private message and we can talk further if that helps.August 15th isn’t far off and once my TURBT was done and even though I didn’t know the results at that point, I felt a great weight lifted off me just knowing it was gone and I was resting at home. Results would be coming but thank god it was taken care of. I was so glad that I checked with my doctor when I first noticed the blood and didn’t ignore it.
Keep strong and enjoy the weekend!!
Hugs
August 16, 2017 at 1:46 am #21847PauletteP
ParticipantUpdate….I had my cystoscopy done today and nothing unusual was noted. It was a great relief! Booking for a CT scan of kidneys, uriters see if they can find the cause of the bleeding.
I want to thank everyone for their responses to my inquiries. Over the last month your responses have kept me from falling apart completely! Thank you for all you do here from the bottom of my heart! Stay strong and positive! -
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