Over 70% Of Patients Respond To BCG Bladder Cancer Treatment

BCG Bladder Cancer Treatment Is The Most Often Used Immunotherapeutic Agent

BCG bladder cancer treatment, or Bacillus Calmette-Guerin, has been used since the 1980’s and is currently considered the most effective immunotherapy treatments. Immunotherapy is different from chemotherapy in that it uses your body’s own materials or those made in a laboratory to imitate human-made materials in order to restore your body’s own defenses against diseases. In more simple terms, BCG bladder cancer treatment works because it improves the body’s immune system.

The Process of BCG Bladder Cancer Treatment

Patients who demonstrate tumor recurrence, have CIS (carcinoma in situ, represents over 10% of cases- considered a high-grade, aggressive materialization of TCC with a variable course), Grade 3 TCC or lamina propria invasion are the best candidates for BCG bladder cancer treatment. BCG is actually a form of the bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and it is administered to patients by intravenous by mixing the inactivated bacterium with a saline solution and placed directly into the bladder, and by a percutaneous vaccine.

Before undergoing BCG bladder cancer treatment, the patient’s bladder must be completely empty. Patients will be asked to refrain from drinking fluids for about 4 hours before treatment, while a limited amount of fluid intake will be required for 12 hours before treatment.

Studies Show BCG Bladder Cancer Treatment Has High Success Rates

A study performed by a pioneer in the field of bladder cancer immunotherapy, Dr. DL Lamm, compared Connaught BCG with doxorubicin, two forms of BCG preparations available in the United States for BCG bladder cancer treatment. The study found that over a period of two years, a six-week induction with single maintenance instillations performed every three months resulted in 70% of patients with CIS having a complete response to the Connaught BCG treatment. After 5 years, 48% of those patients remained disease free. Patients treated with doxorubicin had a 34% response, and only 18% of those patients were disease free after 5 years.

What Are The Side Effects Of BCG Bladder Cancer Treatment?

As with any treatment method for any disease, actual side effects will vary depending on the individual. BCG bladder cancer treatment often results in temporary side effects including difficulty and frequent urination, and occurs in approximately 90% of patients who are treated with BCG bladder cancer treatment. In approximately one-third of patients, there may be blood in the urine. A small number of people undergoing treatment complain of fatigue, muscle ache and pain similar to symptoms felt with the flu.

If you’re open to alternative cancer treatment methods, check out my alternative cancer treatment guide reviews to find out more about natural cancer remedies to treat bladder cancer and more.

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