Anyone with bladder cancer after breast cancer?

Hello Tammy,

I know it has been a few weeks since you posted about your bladder cancer diagnosis but I wanted to respond and say how very sorry I am to hear of your recent diagnosis. Once through cancer treatment for BC is already one time too much! Please continue to let us know how you are doing as your treatment plan comes together.

The way that I found your post was through searching for Cyclophosphamide/Cytoxan and bladder issues.I was diagnosed in late 2009 with Stage 3 invasive breast cancer with four positive lymph nodes. Consequently in 2010 I underwent surgery followed by seven months of Adrimyacin, Cytoxan/Cyclophosphamide, Taxol chemo and then five weeks of radiation. I am currently still on Femara letrozole.

I also have experienced bladder problems recently and will be seeing a urologist on Monday of next week. Of course I am fearful and am aware of the possibility of serious complications including bladder cancer from the months of oral Cytoxan I received in 2010.

My heart goes out to you!

Charlotte

Tammy,

I am so very sorry it has taken me so long to get back to reply! Thank you, thank you for checking in and asking about me. These past several days have been a blur of tests, doc appointments, updates to family and on and on!

Well, first the good news...after CT with contrast and cystoscope and multiple urine samples it has been determined that I do not have Bladder Cancer. BUT...CT scan revealed a questionable issue with the blood vessel at left kidney and other areas of concern with left kidney and ureter. So, urologist has me scheduled for a ureteroscopy with IV sedation next and talked about a ureteral stent. I was lying in the procedure room after the cystoscope when I was told about this so I really couldn't take it all in and understand what he was saying about the stent. I did hear him clearly say he wanted a better look at my left kidney and ureter. Will ask more questions when I see him next.

Then, urologist talked to my medical oncologist and she has me scheduled for an MRI because CT scan also revealed a small area of "Low Density" on my pancreas. After MRI I am to meet with an abdominal oncology surgeon at the cancer center for his take on the MRI results. Med oncologist did say that it could be a cyst but they need to look further because one of the ducts is also dilated and that can signal something more.

So, the long and short of it so far is that I don't have bladder cancer but a whole new can of worms, or two, have been opened! Since I was stage III at BC diagnosis and I have a maternal aunt that died of pancreatic cancer I am terrified of what may be found. But I do know that whatever it is it is better to know earlier than later. I have no jaundice or abdominal symptoms and my labs have been great. I am trying to keep busy and keep things from spinning our of control in my head until I have more answers.

I hope you both are tolerating treatments OK. I thought of you Tammy as I was having my cystoscopy and how it seems like one primary cancer should be enough for a lifetime! Now we have to worry about things "down there" in addition to our BC.

I will post an update when I have more information. Prayers to you both, Tammy and Delaine, for strength for the journey and effectiveness of the treatments!

❤️ Charlotte

Tammy, yes my bc was low grade. Had a telephone conversation with my urologist two days ago, after a biopsy done during my cystoscopy about two weeks ago. It is cancer again but still low grade. He did say we might have a conversation about BCG at some point. Not sure why he got on to that since I don't think it is standard for low grade but I didn't ask.

My TURBT was last November and I thought I was on a path to maybe moving on to six month intervals between cystoscopy appts. but since cancer was found again on my third post TURBT cystoscopy I will be checked every three months again so I am booked again for cysto. in December.

I did have a urine cytopathology test about one week before the biopsy and it was negative for cancer cells but he said that happens fairly often.

I had 4 tumours removed in November. Only one showed on the ultrasound so it was quite a jolt to see 4 during the cystoscopy. One tumour, the largest one, looked completely different from the other three. This last biopsy was different, as well, as it was just a small, red dot.

I had ILC, 4 cm. Stage 2, Grade 2, node neg. Er+ Pr+ Her 2 neg. 2009. Had CT chemo., no radiation. Tamoxifen for 2 years, Arimidex for 3 years.

Charlotte, thank you for your kind thoughts.

Hi Tammy

I am not being seen by an oncologist at a cancer centre. I believe most bladder cancers in my city are handled by a large group of urologists affiliated with a hospital here. I am in Canada. It is my understanding that most often, with low grade tumours, they take a somewhat wait and see position before they decide to administer BCG.

I have read that BCG is not as effective on low grade tumours as it is with other types of bladder cancer. That said, now that I have had a recurrence I am assuming that we might have that discussion at my next cystoscopy in December. Any BCG instillations would be given in the urology clinic at the hospital.

I am not sure about this but I would assume that if any progression leads to needing chemo. then that would be handled by the Cancer Centre and oncologists there.

How are you feeling after your BCG installation?

Feel free to PM me any time.