Re: BCG treatment: side-effects

Posted By Ken on March 05, 1999 at 00:05:47:

In Reply to: BCG treatment:  side-effects posted by Victoria Edge on March 04, 1999 at 11:04:05:






Are there any side-effects associated with use of bcg vaccine as a treatment for bladder cancer?  What is the current thinking regarding possible  length of treatment with bcg?  
Thank you.
VME





HI,  I am not a doc, but I am a cancer patient and have undergone BCG therapy
I had no particlar difficulty.  Some burning on urination, which resolved
with lots of fluids.  
I believe the standard is 6 installations 1/wk for 6 weeks.  
then cysto to see if things have improved.
I did 3 then rest, then cysto,then one more,  then I had a recurrance
so had to go back for a TUR then biopsy.  
BCG has been very effective and some folks repeat it for some time.
Good luck you you.