What is theracys BCG?
BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guérin) is a freeze-dried product made from bacteria. BCG increases certain white blood cells that destroy invading tumor cells in the bladder. BCG is used to treat bladder cancer that is localized (has not spread to other parts of the body).
What are the long term side effects of BCG treatment for bladder cancer?
In Summary. Commonly reported side effects of bcg include: urinary tract infection, detrusor hyperreflexia of bladder, fever, hematuria, urinary frequency, urinary urgency, vomiting, chills, and malaise.
What are the side effects of BCG treatment?
What are potential side effects and complications of BCG treatment?
- Small amount of blood in urine.
- Low grade fever (99-100°F)
- Tiredness.
- Urinary frequency, urgency and burning with urination.
- Muscle or joint achiness.
Is BCG treatment a form of chemotherapy?
The main treatments for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer include surgery, BCG (immunotherapy) and intravesical chemotherapy. You may have surgery alone or a combination of these treatments.
How do you give intravesical BCG?
Intravesical BCG dose and schedule. To obtain the standard dose, the BCG vaccine powdered vial is usually diluted into 50 ml of normal saline. The diluted BCG is then infused into the bladder through a urethral catheter after complete drainage of the bladder. It should be maintained in the bladder for 2 hours.
What is BCG Live intravesical instillation?
This medication is used to treat a certain type of bladder cancer (carcinoma in situ-CIS) and prevent it from returning. It is also used to prevent another type of bladder cancer (papillary tumor) from returning after surgery to remove it.
How many times can you have BCG treatments?
A person will usually have BCG immunotherapy once per week for 6 weeks . A doctor may recommend another 6 weeks of BCG if they feel it is required.
Does BCG damage the bladder?
Treatment with BCG can cause a wide range of symptoms. It’s common to have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, achiness, chills, and fatigue. These can last for 2 to 3 days after treatment. It also commonly causes a burning feeling in the bladder, the need to urinate often, and even blood in the urine.
How long does BCG stay in your body?
BCG can remain in urine for 6 hours after your treatment, so each time you urinate, you should bleach the toilet in your home to neutralize the vaccine.
Can BCG cause hair loss?
Hair loss does not occur with BCG.
How long does BCG vaccine stay in your system?
BCG vaccination given to babies and young children provides consistent protection (up to 80%) against severe forms of childhood TB, such as TB meningitis. It can be less effective against TB affecting the lungs in adults. The protection from the BCG vaccine can last up to 15 years.
What is intravesical BCG?
Bacillus Calmette-Guerin or BCG is the most common intravesical immunotherapy for treating early-stage bladder cancer. It’s used to help keep the cancer from growing and to help keep it from coming back. BCG is a germ that’s related to the one that causes tuberculosis (TB), but it doesn’t usually cause serious disease.