Papillary tumor of the bladder.
Since late 1998, was being seen by my urologistRed Bank, N.J.) for prostatitus. During the course of my treatment(mainly anitbiotics), red blood cells were observed under microscpoic examination of my urine. While initially thought to be due to the infection, the doctor recommended a more thorough workup. An IVP was done which was negative. The resulting X-rays were examined by both the radiologist as well as the urologist.
I was also scheduled(3/1999) for a cystoscopy which was done in the day stay surgery unit at the hospital. When the cysto was performed at the hospital, the doctor discovered a 1 cm papillary tumor in the bladder. It was removed(fulgarated?) and disintegrated in the process. Biopsy of it was inconclusive as a result. Was back home by 3:00 PM. Recovery was uneventful, just some stinging during urination, especially for the first 24 hours. Stayed out of work about 10 days total. Mostly rested and dealt with the shock of learning I had bladder cancer.
In June 1999 had a followup procedure done at the hospital. This was to do some additional examination and cleanup of the tumor site using a laser and to take a biopsy. Results of this procedure were fine. The biopsy was negative. Bone scan and various urine cytologies have been negative. Since 9/1999 I have been going for cystos in the office every 3 months. Most recently last week. While I was initially apprehensive about having a cysto in the office, it turned out be a non-event. The doctor uses a stiff metal cystoscope(not the flexible kind) which gives him good control to look around. Afterwards, I go immediately back to my normal activities. All the cysto results have been fine. No evidence of any problems in the bladder. So basically I am in watchful waiting mode. One of the important things that I want to mention is that in hindsite I should have agreed to have the initial cysto sooner. I had delayed it out of fear that it had some degreee of risk associated with it. In fact, the cysto was crucial to discovery of my tumor and I now consider them to be very routine in nature. So basically I am in watchful waiting mode ever aware that the cancer may rear it’s head sooner or later.
