No chemotherapy put in bladder after TURBT does anyone know why

Hello my dad had a cytosopy which showed a  2.1 x 1.8 cm anterior lesion in the bladder and multiple papillary lesions in the lower bladder mostly on the posterior wall.   

He also had an ultrasound and that said the kidneys are normal and I guess the surrounding areas thankfully.

He had a CT scan on the 6th dec we haven’t heard anything about that hoping no news is good news.

He had TURBT Sunday 15th dec and the surgeon said he got it all out. He had a lot of bags of saline through his bladder but no chemo wash of bladder which we had read about and expected to happen.

He has a catheter in for a week and an appointment for biopsy result 6th jan.

We haven’t seen any op notes but his discharge letter said that ‘if high grade histology may wish to discuss early cystectomy considering most of the bladder involved as per op notes’

We are so scared and stressed. I thought it was what they did to put the chemotherapy drug in the bladder? So worried for his biopsy results I just am not coping at all. Many thanks for any insight ♥️

  • Hello and thank you for posting.

    I am afraid I do not know why the doctors did not administer chemotherapy to your dad after his TURBT. If that was the plan, and he consented to this, then do discuss this with them.

    It may be that chemotherapy immediately after the TURBT wasn't the plan for your dad, as there are many different ways to treat bladder cancer depending on what the surgeon finds.

    To have a clearer idea of the plan are you able to be there or be available on the phone when Dad gets his results in January so you can ask questions. This will help your understanding of what the doctors want to do.

    The TURBT can be an initial treatment while they are still investigating the cancer. Seeing exactly what and where the cancer is in the bladder and having what is removed looked at under a microscope will help with the next stage. Further treatment to help Dad may well be needed.

    All this uncertainty can be difficult, and it's a lot of waiting, I hope you have support at this time.

    Take care, and if you want to talk things through with one of the nurses on the helpline the number is 0808 800 4040. Lines are open Mon-Fri 9-5.

    Sarah