Bladder Cancer Therapy

Question: How can I find physicians or cancer centers using photodynamic therapy for bladder cancer?

Answer: Visit the website http://www.cancer.org You can search a list of clinical Trails there for Photodynamic Therapy. Another Websites is: http://cancertrialshelp.org This is another searchable website. Also http://www.centerwatch.com **************************************************** Also check out these patient resourses. They can proabably help you. American Foundation for Urologic Disease (AFUD) 1000 Corporate Blvd., Suite 410 Linthicum, MD 21090 Toll Free: 800-828-7866 Tel: 410-689-3990 Fax: 410-689-3998 www.afud.org Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) PO Box 341105 Bethesda, MD 341105 Tel: 301-469-6865 Fax: 301-469-7526 www.bcan.org **************************************************** Also Check with University of Maryland Medical Center ....they do Photodynamic Therapy. ~Hope this information helps you. Take Care! :)

Question: chemo therapy and bladder cancer? my dad was recently diagnosed with bladder cancer. His dr said they got all the cancer out with sugery and wanted to put chemo "into" his bladder. How do they do this? Will they go into is urethra and to his bladder? and what are the side effects going to be? will he lose his hair or be really sick? Also he is still having lots of pain and some bleeding with urination, he has told his dr and the dr said it is normal up to 2 weeks post op, but it has been almost 4 weeks since his surgery should he tell his dr. He does not want to bother anyone if this is normal. thanks

Answer: The surgery your father had was a TURBT and it is absolutely impossible for the doctor to know if he got all the cancer or not. This is part of the reason bladder cancer has an 80% recurrence rate. The treatment you are describing is not chemotherapy it is immunotherapy. The drug (BCG) is diluted with saline and inserted into an empty bladder through a catheter and retained for about 2 hours. This is usually done once a week for about 6 weeks. It does not cause har loss. The most common side effects are bladder irritation and flu-like symptoms. He should most definitely tell the doctor about his pain and bleeding it has been far too long and it could be signs of a complication and it may very well delay BCG treatments. Tell your father not to be concerned with bothering the doctor, this is part of his job and he understands that.

Question: Does anyone know how radiation therapy will effect an 82 year old man, he has bladder cancer?

Answer: The person who told you radiation is a difficult treatment has probably never had it done on themselves. I've had two different types and except for my nerves prior to beginning treatment I thought radiation was a relative walk in the park compared to some other common cancer treatments. You have to remember that this man is probably symptomatic from having the bladder cancer and the radiation will probably give him excellent palliative results - in other words he will probably be able to do #1 for the first time without pain in a very long time. That might be priceless regardless of the mild inconvenience of having radiation treatments. http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=3162

Question: Is BCG treatment for bladder cancer considered to be Chemo? My friend insists she had chemo for bladder cancer. It was BCG therapy. Is this considered to be chemo?

Answer: Well, I'm not sure what difference the semantics make, but the BCG treatment alone, without any other agents, isn't really chemotherapy. It's a localized irritant (it works by causing enough irritation that the lining of the bladder actually sloughs off, getting rid of anything on the surface, such as a very superficial malignancy) rather than systemic agent, and it's biological in nature, rather than pharmacological. But like I said, it's just a word, there may be some people who refer to it as chemotherapy out there, and what you call it doesn't change a thing about what it is.

Question: how long can someone live with gull bladder cancer? my grandma just got diagnosed with cancer in her gull bladder...the doctors dont really know where it came from or anything or how severe it is. my grandma is home with us now and seems very healthy and happy and we want to enjoy the time with her we have left, she is not going to do kemo or radiation therapy; shes gonna have painkillers if she has pain but we are not doing kemo she has a weak heart to sustain that. but i just wanna know, how long can someone go with untreated gull bladder cancer? i at least want my grandma for a few more years...so please i would very much greatfly appreciate if you gave me estimated time like the average time to live with untreated gull cancer. thank you. =]

Answer: If her gallbladder was removed she had treatment and her doctors would have to have a good idea how extensive it is. With the stage of the disease you can judge fairly well how long someone will survive with this disease. For all you know it was completely removed during surgery and your grandmother has a normal life expectancy.

Question: what are the careful precautions for gall bladder cancer (Carcinova) 2nd stage , age 63 yrs.? as Gall Bladder has been operated , 40% lever also operated which was in infection. 25 days radio therapy course has been done , so pls tell us nessarry percautions for future in living

Answer: Theage and the 2nd stage goes against the patient. Some times whether we like it or not, we have to accept the fact. Try Noni. Cancer By Dr.Rangadhar Satpathy Cancer is a cellular malfunction. Noni’s effect to cure cancer work in cellular level. The sooner a cancer is detected, the greater the chance of remission. Noni helps to fight the cancer in the following way (A) By its anti carcinogenic agent Noni juice contains 150 neutraceuticals. Among them six have been shown to fight cancer. (1) Polysaccharides Polysaccharides are found abundant in Noni. Polysaccharides block the adhesion of mutated cells to other cells, so stopping metastasis. Blocking the adhesion of mutated cells to new cell depends on the density of the polysaccharides sulphate groups, their mol.wt and their carbohydrate structure. (2) Anthraquinones •Damnacanthal, an anthraquinone inhibits the growth of malignant cells. •Alizarin, another antraquinone block the blood circulation to the malignant tumors, hence prevents its growth. •Anthraquinone reduces the cytochrome c (a hem protein whose main function is electron transport using the hem prosthetic group. It act as a cancer causing agent in the body) inside the body without causing the formation of any new free radicals. (Source – from the research study conducted by group of scientist in Japan 1990) (3) Epigollocatechin gallate (EGCg) •EGCg is a polyphenolic flavonoid antioxidant found in abundant in Noni. •EGCg prevent the growth of malignant cells and so induce apoptosis. •In cancer cell the enzyme NOX is active all time. In normal cell the NOX is only active during cell division in response to Growth hormone signal. The EGCg interferes the tumor associated activity of NOX. (Source – From the research study on Noni juice) (3) Terpenes compound : •It helps in preventing the proliferation of malignant cells and induces apoptosis. •Limonene one terpens has been shown to prevent mammary, liver, lungs carcinoma and also may be effective in treating leukemia. •Beta carotene, other terpenes helps to stimulate thymus gland to secrete more T- cells that destroys the carcinoma cells. •Ursolic acid, one terpen compound has anti carcinogenic effect both externally and internally to prevent the growth of cancerous cell and inducing apoptosis. (Source- research conducted by the National Cancer Institute, Finland) (4) Proxeronine Dr.Heinicke’s theory suggests that xeronine (conversion from proxeronine by the enzyme proxeroninase) combines with various biochemical’s and building blocks i.e. hormones, proteins, enzymes, serotonins, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in intracellular level. The Golgi apparatus and reticuloendothelium then assemble the necessary compounds into a specific ‘package’ – that ‘package’ is sent from healthy cells to deranged cells to help in regeneration or rebuild the damaged cells. Sqamous cell carcinoma Noni helps to prevents proliferation of cancer cell & Hence prevents cell mitosis (B) Modulating the body Immune process. Noni helps to modulate the production, activity and effectiveness of some immune system agent. That are – • Nitric Oxide: Nitric Oxide is produced by activated macrophages plays a role in the host protection against pathogen as well as malignant tumor. Noni increases the body’s biosynthesis of nitric oxide • Interleukin: Noni modulate the production, activity and effectiveness of interleukin-2 that enhances the production of B-cell antibodies and also the cytotoxicity character of Natural Killer (NK) cells. • Interleukins: Noni modulate the production & activity of interferon-y that helps in the activation of macrophages and the over all process of cell mediated immunity. (Source- Dr.Hirajumi report) • Tumor necrosis factor (TNF): Tumor necrosis factor from various macrophages destroys the malignant cells. Noni modulate the production, activity of TNF from the macrophages • Lipopolysachrides (LPS): The LPS in serum stimulate the body’s immune process to eliminate any pathogens. Noni help to modulate the production of LPS in serum thus increases the immune process of the body. • Natural killer cells (NK cells): Noni helps to modulate the production of NK cells that destroys the malignant cells. Thus Noni juice is multifaceted in its approach to fight cancer.

Question: Want to know life experiences after Cystectomy? How your life is today? ? I'm 30yrs old male they found bladder cancer on me. I finished my chemo therapies now I'm in the process of having the Cystectomy? I want to know the experiences people have had after 2yrs- 5yrs of having the operation. Is it a normal life? Any side effects? Any more pain? Please wright back asap my operation is in 2 weeks.

Answer: I wish you only the best and a speedy recovery.

Question: What is the prognosis for Cerebral Atrophy found in my 68y/o husband, from Malnutrition? He has developed the Malnutrition after being treated by drug therapy for long standing Depression. The Cerebral Atrophy was found in a CT Scan at the same time Bladder Cancer was found. The Bladder Cancer was successfully treated, but we were not informed of the Cerebral Atrophy untill he went to the Emergency Room in respiratory distress. Everything else checked out as normal. He is a recovering alcoholic, has been clean for 20 years, but has abused pain medication and tranquilizers since.

Answer: Only his doctors would be able to answer that question accurately.

Question: what is 2LA is it chemo or radiotherapy? my auntie who is 88 has just been diagnosed with bladder cancer and has told me she is having this treatment (which she doesnt want) but she doesnt know if its chemo or radio therapy can anyone help. also what side effects will there be if any. she lives on her own and is already feeling tired and weak.

Answer: d

Question: How would ObamaCare bureaucrats resolve this situation? NEWT GINGRICH : A 3-year-old boy was recently diagnosed with a rare, aggressive, soft-tissue cancer in his bladder. Radiation treatment would have stunted the growth of his pelvic bones, hips and bladder and left him disabled. Radical surgery could remove his bladder, prostate and portions of his rectum. That would have left him impotent, using a colostomy bag, and urinating through another bag in his abdomen. His parents chose a third option—a new "unproven" therapy where a proton beam precisely targeted the radiation dose so that it didn't cripple their son for life. The boy is now cancer-free and his body functions normally.

Answer: The cheapest option

Question: Med Question? A 66 year old man is being admitted with the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction. His medical history shows he had bladder surgery 7 years ago for bladder cancer. He also received postoperative radiation therapy at that time. My question is: Could there be some link connecting the intestinal obstruction now and the bladder cancer including actions taken to correct it then?

Answer: Obstruction of the bowel may be caused by ileus -- in which the bowel doesn't function correctly but there is no "mechanical" (anatomic) problem -- or by mechanical causes. Mechanical obstruction occurs when movement of material through the intestines is physically blocked. The mechanical causes of obstruction are numerous and may include the following: Hernias Postoperative adhesions or scar tissue Impacted feces (stool) Gallstones Tumors blocking the intestines Granulomatous processes (abnormal tissue growth) Intussusception Volvulus (twisted intestine) Foreign bodies (ingested materials that obstruct the intestines) If the obstruction blocks the blood supply to the intestine, the tissue may die, causing infection and gangrene. Risk factors for tissue death include intestinal malignancy , Crohn's disease , hernia , and previous abdominal surgery. Surgery is by far the most widely used treatment for bladder cancer. It is used for all types and stages of bladder cancer. Several different types of surgery are used. Which type is used in any situation depends largely on the stage of the tumor. Many surgical procedures are available today that have not gained widespread acceptance. They can be difficult to perform, and good outcomes are best achieved by those who perform many of these surgeries per year. The types of surgery are as follows: Transurethral resection with fulguration: In this operation, an instrument (resectoscope) is inserted through the urethra and into the bladder. A small wire loop on the end of the instrument then removes the tumor by cutting it or burning it with electrical current (fulguration). This is usually performed for the initial diagnosis of bladder cancer and for the treatment of stages Ta and T1 cancers. Often, after transurethral resection, additional treatment is given (for example, intravesical therapy) to help treat the bladder cancer. Radical cystectomy: In this operation, the entire bladder is removed, as well as its surrounding lymph nodes and other structures that may contain cancer. This is usually performed for cancers that have at least invaded into the muscular layer of the bladder wall or for more superficial cancers that extend over much of the bladder or that have failed to respond to more conservative treatments. Occasionally, the bladder is removed to relieve severe urinary symptoms. Segmental or partial cystectomy: In this operation, part of the bladder is removed. This is usually performed for solitary low-grade tumors that have invaded the bladder wall but are limited to a small area of the bladder. As the name implies, radical cystectomy is major surgery. Not only the entire bladder but also other structures are removed. In men, the prostate and seminal vesicles (small tubes that carry semen from the prostate to the penis) are removed. This operation stops production of semen and may affect your sexual function. However, nerve-sparing techniques can spare erectile function in some men after surgery. In women, the womb (uterus), ovaries, and part of the vagina are removed. This permanently stops menstruation, and you can no longer become pregnant. The operation may also interfere with sexual and urinary functions. Removal of the bladder is complicated because it requires creation of a new pathway for urine to leave the body. This is called urinary diversion. Some people wear a bag outside their body to collect urine. Others have a small pouch made inside the body to collect urine. The pouch is usually made by a surgeon from a small piece of the intestine. Most patients (both men and women) are candidates for continent urinary tract reconstruction so that volitional (voluntary) voiding may be restored. Surgeons and medical oncologists are working together to find ways to avoid radical cystectomy. A combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy may allow some patients to preserve their bladder; however, the toxicity of the therapy is significant, with many patients requiring surgery to remove the bladder at a later date. If your urologist recommends surgery as treatment for your bladder cancer, be sure you understand the type of surgery you will have and what effects the surgery will have on your life. Even if the surgeon believes that the entire cancer is removed by the operation, many people who undergo surgery for bladder cancer receive chemotherapy after the surgery. This "adjuvant" chemotherapy is designed to kill any cancer cells remaining after surgery and to increase the chance of a cure. Some patients may receive chemotherapy before radical cystectomy. This is called "neoadjuvant" chemotherapy and may be recommended by your surgeon and oncologist. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy can kill any microscopic cancer cells that may have spread to other parts of the body and can also shrink the tumor in your bladder before surgery. If it has been decided that you need chemotherapy in conjunction with your radical cystectomy, the decision to elect neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy will be made together on a case-by-case basis by the patient, medical oncologist, and urologic oncologist.

Question: Pancreatic cancer = Liver lesions? My Mother in law survived Pancreatic Cancer back in 2007. She's been in remission ever since the surgery in December '07. She goes every 3 months for an MRI to make sure there is nothing new. In January she passed with flying colors. She went in this past Tuesday for the next 3 month MRI and they told her yesterday that they found 2 lesions on her liver, one was 1 cm and the other was 1.6 cm. My question is, what are the chances that something could have popped up now after everything has been clear? She did have a horrible viral infection back in February, and I've read online that lesions can be caused by a viral infection but we won't know until she gets a PET scan done sometime soon. Is she more at risk for this to be cancer due to having had pancreatic cancer? She had a modified whipple procedure done where they removed the area on her pancreas that was infected, some of her stomach, her intestine and her gall bladder/bile duct. They also took biopsies of her lymph nodes to see if she had any cancerous cells and of the 24 that they took, 3 did so they gave her a long round of chemo and radiation therapy. Thanks, but I already know about pancreatic cancer...

Answer: The honest answer to your question is that the liver lesions very well could be cancer. I suppose the MRI has ruled out that they could be simple cysts? They have been there the whole time, but it has taken them about 1½ years to become large enough to be visible on MRI. They are probably resistant to the chemo given earlier. A major risk factor (apart from the fact that she had pancreatic cancer) is that 3 of the removed lymph nodes harbored metastases. But that doesn't mean that there are no treatment options. I´m not knowledgeable enough to tell you exactly what those treatment options are, but this is a discussion she will have with her oncologist (if the lesions turn out to be metastases).

Question: Question for those who have undergone chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy? We know a young woman who received a grim diagnosis a few weeks ago. She had cancer in her gall bladder, but they did not catch it until the cancer had already spread to her lungs and bone. She is undergoing intensive rounds of chemo and radiation and is facing surgery in a few weeks. She must be taking drugs to control the nausea, but all these intensive treatments are taking a huge toll on her nonetheless. My question is this: Are there ANY foods which might be appealing to her right now? I've heard that fruity jello salads are a good choice - maybe so. But what about soups and comfort foods like chicken and dumplings, chicken and rice soup, cream of potato or good old fashioned homemade chicken noodle soup? I know she needs to eat what she can to keep her strength up. We want to help if we can. What were you able to eat as you were undergoing treatment? Did you become more sensitive to seasonings like salt, or did your taste actually change towards food as a result of the chemo? Any other insights you have that would help us to help her would be greatly appreciated! I'm not trying to pry into your personal situation, but I believe only those who have been there can best advise me on this..... Thank you -

Answer: The only things I could eat or drink was fruit juices...ice cold. Choco milk, non creamy soups and of course, no matter how icky it tasted I had to have my morning coffee. I always had peppermints to clear the disgusting metallic taste from the radiation out of my mouth. They even had bowls full of them at the radiation clinic. Fixer, that hasn't been tested on human cancers. It's supposedly good for this: Research has shown artemisinin to be particularly beneficial in balancing the microbiology of the GI tract.

Question: my father was diagonised with grade 2 transitional cell papillary cell carcinoma of the bladder.? the tumour size was big 10cm. since he is 67 years old and has heart problems was adviced radiation therapy. after 21 radiations the tumour size waas considrably reduuced and what was remaining was removed by cystoscopy. the parts removed by cystoscopy showed positive in biopsy. what does this mean , can anybody please tell me what to expect now, whether he is still in the clutches of cancer or not?

Answer: Everyone has 70-80,000 cancer cells in our body every single day. If the immune system is compromised because of poor diet, stress from toxins in the environment etc... It can lead to allowing cancer to proliferate unchecked. Just because cancer is undetectable after removing a tumor or the horse is in the barn due to shrinkage, it does not mean that little individual cells are no longer looking for a new home to grow a tumor in i.e., the brain, liver, or bone. Learn cancer prevention. Learn about antioxidants. Learn what is effective and what isn't. Learn how to live a lifestyle of prevention and optimal health to survive on in a toxic world.

Question: About Dimensia? My dad is 63yrs old & has had dimensia for the past 2yrs. Now he is losing control of his bladder/bowel movements but the aged care assesment team say he is not sick enough to be put into a nursing home so, mum has to suffer, feeding, changing & looking after again, pretty much. He cant really do anything for himself although, i still spoon feeds himself. Thats all though. Do you think he is in the final stage of dimensia? How much longer do you think he has got to live? Also, he has recently had major cancers removed from his face, requiring radiation therapy. Could that contribute to him passing quicker?

Answer: Dementia is a funny thing (I have a father-in-law with it). It does not impare the mental or physical properties of the body. As long as he is physically fit, he could live another 10 years, it's just his mind is gone Quite frankly, your aged care assessment team sucks. The bigger problem is that he would have to go into a facility that deals with dementia, not just an assisted care facility. I am surprised they haven't given him a test to determine the extent of the dementia or that the doctor hasn't been involved on this. You do not say where you are from, but I would do a search on "eldercare" to get someone outside. Yes, they are expensive, as will this entire assisted care will be, but your mother is suffering as well. (Are you English? "mum" is a tip-off and I do not know how they handle things in the UK, as opposed to the US)

Question: LGBT: Why is it that the sweet and nice people have to suffer so much? Every nice people I know have suffered from emotional breakdowns, physical problems and killer diseases. My mum is one of the nicest and very patient person (though abit unfair with me sometimes), and she has diabetes. She had it since she was 17, and now I watch her suffering from pain, tiredness and other illness. One of my cousin lost his left arm due to an accident. A friend of mine just lost his mother last year. Recently I've found out that one of the sweetest person I've met is fighting cancer. I won't say I am the nicest person on earth, but I'm nice...and I've had my gall bladder and Appendix removed by the time I was 14. I was born with a bad nose defect that affects my daily life and my speech, which is why I lack confidence, and I will require 2 surgeries on my nose to fix only a part of the problem. My speech defect cannot be cured (even if I go for a speech therapy). I have to live with it. And here we hear rapists, serial killers walking around freely, and a serial child killer using Facebook, and leaders who don't keep their promises and steal from their own country (Bangladesh) and get away by saying that they are ill. Why is it always like that? Why does God hurt the good people on Earth? So that they could have a better afterlife? Then again...we could just hurt ourselves while helping others and live a miserable life. What's the point? :-[ *Best Wishes* ♪♣ ��v�ήέ Яάў ♣♪ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Uki, It is easier for you to ask someone to repeat what they said so that you could hear them right, but for me, it is difficult to repeat and yet they won't understand even if they have a good listening power. I am not complaining, and neither I'm saying that my problem is the worst thing that could happen to someone (not when someone is fighting cancer) but I didn't deserve this problem, neither did you. I will never complain, but I will never be able to talk the way others do. I have a good vocabulary, and yet I can't use it. What's the point? I don't take part in debates, elocutions or public speaking. I'm worried what's gonna happen when I go for a job interview. *sigh*

Answer: First of all, let me say I am very sorry to learn of your speech problems. I knew you had had some sort of facial surgeries, but I didn't know it affected your speech. You're certainly an eloquent writer! =) It's difficult to imagine all the various complications and awkwardness you must experience from day to day. I imagine, however, your intelligence and caring and loving disposition will more than compensate, ultimately, for any possible setbacks associated with or having resulted from your speech issues. Secondly, your Q is mainly about the suffering of sweet and nice people, so I probably am not the right person to be answering. I imagine myself to be sorely lacking in those areas, and that there will always be so much room for improvement that I'll never attain such a lofty classification. But I try, nonetheless. Be that as it may, I would like to say this: As you know I have been fighting cancer for years, as well as what seems like an endless stream of related complications, both from the cancer and the treatments. Now I am being treated for hemolytic anemia and may now have acute myeloid leukemia (still undermined). I'll leave out all the things that have happenend before all this. At no point did I ever feel like I was being punished or tested or mistreated by God or any other power. I won't say that I have dealt with it all with smiles and laughter, because I have certainly had my moments of self pity and depression. Especially when Michelangelo died (also of cancer). That was my powest point. But through it all I have had so many opportunities to be of help to others, some less ill than I, some more, that even though I consider the whole mess unfortunate.. I could never say I actually regret any of it or would, if I could, "go back in time and make it never happen". It's been an adventure, and very often a wonderous and rewarding one. If I go tomorrow, I will have been so lucky to have been at all. =) I originally had 0% chance to live. Going on 9 years later here I am meeting wonderful people like yourself! It's been a rough ride, but I'd not trade it for anything. Omega