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hello - just a thought here... the "p" in front of a dx.... at mayo's they put a p in front of my dx after they did surgery. So I think it simply is a heads up to a surgically treated dx...I could be wrong but Dr Blute is the one who told me that - Take care - Holly

Wow, Holly, Thanks!

I appreciate your input.  We can really learn from each other here.

And, isn't it amazing how much we learn from our Doctor's when they take the time to teach us?

I'm hoping that you feel better, each and every day.

Your friend,
Rosemary

Rosemary, the definition of In situ varies depending on the part of the body.  In bladder cancer In situ is a type of bladder cancer rather than just a statement of it not invading.  The definition you gave of in situ was relative to skin cancer and other types of cancer but in bladder cancer, it is a type of cancer not just a description of it being "confined" to a certain part of the body/organ.  In situ in breast cancer, for instance,  is a less agressive type but in bladder cancer,  in situ is a more agressive type. Again, I am questioning why your one path report says in situ.  Possibly the pathologist that did the reading of the tumor was not that familiar with contradictory terms as it relates to bladder cancer.  I hope that is the case for your path and not that you actually had a CIS tumor.  As long as you feel confidant and informed that yours was only papillary and are being treated accordinginly, I won't be overly concerned for you. But if you are still feeling confused by these path reports, I highly suggest you have your present doctor look at them and write up a case history for you, dear friend.

Rosie,

This comes from Dr. Lamm's site, where I believe he is using the term "in situ" in the same way that my pathology reads....

Prognosis in bladder cancer varies according to the grade and the stage of the disease. Grade is divided into two basic categories, low grade, which very rarely is a threat to life, and high grade, which often is. From your description I suspect we are talking about high grade disease. Stage is also very important. The "first" stage of bladder cancer is in situ or "in place" disease. Ironically, carcinoma in situ of the bladder is a dangerous disease because it is always high grade (otherwise it cannot be diagnosed). The least aggressive disease is Stage TA, which is a papillary (polyp) growth within the bladder that has no invasion

Hi Rosemary

Just checking in and I see you haven't posted for a while. Do you have an update?

Your friend Jeff

Hey Jeff!

Thanks for asking.  I had a CT scan and cystoscopy yesterday. Everything looked good.
The Doctor says that after my 2 year anniversary (in January 200 we will start making appointments 6 months apart.  He will also start using more of the cytology Urine tests for me.

I said, well, "it's been 2 years, but I know it's going to come back."

And he said, "Maybe not."

Wouldn't that be nice?

How are you doing anyway?

Your bud,
Rosemary

Sorry Rosemary

I missed your post in October. Great to hear things are going so well for you. I pray the good news continues into the distant future. Things are fine with me since my last P & P in June which was all clear. Next P & P is in March 2008 and then hopefully only annually after that. Staying positive and living life as one should. Now retired, been on 1 cruise with another booked and have bought a large caravan with the travel recently starting (went away with my wife for 2 1/2 weeks). Gotta stay focused on looking after ourselves but trying to lead as full a life as we can. Look forward to further good news from you in due course.

Jeff  xo

Thanks a lot for your post, Jeff.  It sounds like you are having a good life and I am so glad. 

This morning when I awoke, I felt better than I have felt in a long long time.

A cruise sounds mighty nice to me.  I do so want to travel.  I will be sure to ask Santa Claus for a cruise package in my stocking this year....

It's really good to hear from you.

Buds,
Rosemary