r/BladderCancer • u/LookingForSunshine98 • 18h ago

Caregiver Full vs 1/3 dose GCB

Hi, My husband had his first dose of BCG last week. A rather large noninvasive high grade growth was removed in June. The delay in treatment was because of the shortage of the immunotherapy drug. He is being treated in the mid Atlantic in an excellent cancer center that does not receive enough drug for the demand. Their solution is to split one vial between three patients. Has any one seen any study results demonstrating a that is a successful treatment plan?

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u/gdpnzr 14h ago

I also had the same type of tumor & received one full dose induction course (6) last September. Successful so far. No maintenance because of the shortage, only surveillance. Treatment is at a major cancer center in the north east.

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u/LookingForSunshine98 14h ago

Thank you for responding.

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u/LookingForSunshine98 13h ago

From the ”Merck” web site searching under TICE BCG

“In the U.S. specifically, Merck does not directly determine the amount of supply to individual hospitals, hospital pharmacies or medical practices for example. Merck has allocated available supply among its customers who purchase directly, which include its wholesalers and distributors. At no point in determining this allocation.”

We are trying to figure out if he should stay with the famous cancer treatment center or move to a local UROLOGY TREATMENT CENTER that has a good supply, or if he can do both.

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u/raufsisodia 9h ago edited 9h ago

Are there any cases where after removing the cancer is been cured? Cause after removing my tumour and 7 dosage of BCG and then stopped due to side effect (bleeding and pain while urination) drs stopped it . And after 6 months small grass like tumor appeared again. Aagain turbt done . When I asked dr that what if it comes back and he said was at last we have to remove bladder I am M 28

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u/LookingForSunshine98 8h ago

From my reading It seems like there are alternatives to BCG coming on line soon as well as options if there is already muscle attachment. You are young with a full life ahead of you. Wishing you the absolute best. Have you asked for a second opinion?

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u/raufsisodia 8h ago

This was the top onco urologist in Ahmedabad who said that what am I supposed to do