Side Effects Of Bcg Treatment For Bladder Cancer

Bcg bacillus calmette and guérin is a freeze dried product made from bacteria.

Side effects of bcg treatment for bladder cancer.

Bcg increases certain white blood cells that destroy invading tumor cells in the bladder. Some people may know bcg as a vaccine used to prevent tuberculosis tb. Immunotherapy drugs encourage the body s immune system to fight cancer cells. Bcg is used to treat bladder cancer that is localized has not spread to other parts of the body.

Bcg must come in contact with the cancer cells to work. But it is also a main treatment for non muscle invasive bladder cancer. About 4 to 6 hours after treatment you may have bladder symptoms such as sudden urges to urinate frequent urination stomach discomfort bloating and possibly loss of bladder control. We also cover side effects alternative treatment options and the outlook associated with bladder cancer.

Treatment with bcg can cause a wide range of symptoms. The immune system cells are attracted to the bladder and attack the bladder cancer cells. It reaches the cancer cells and turns on the immune system. What is bcg therapy.

3 replies fatigue after bcg treatment. Sometimes turbt isn t an option as would be the case in later stage bladder cancer. The main bcg side effect is flu like symptoms such as fever chills and fatigue. Possible side effects from bcg treatment.

Tell your doctor right away if these side effects last for longer than 2 or 3 days. Bcg is a type of immunotherapy drug. Bcg treatment may result in fewer side effects than systemic chemotherapy which affects your entire body. Bcg is actually a vaccine to guard against tuberculosis but administering it directly in the bladder triggers an immune response against bladder cancer cells.

Bladder cancer advocacy network i had a turbt on april 24 t1 grade 3 followed by 6 bcg treatments that ended august 20th. Bcg may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. I had 6 bcg treatments after turbt in february 2020 then 3 treatments in june at 1 3 dosage then one treatment this week 9 15 at 100 dosage. Commonly reported side effects of bcg include.

Share on pinterest doctors may use bcg to treat some early forms of.