What are the long-term effects of BCG treatment?
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. Other side effects include: arthralgia. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
How do you feel after BCG treatment?
BCG immunotherapy can cause a number of side effects. It is common for people to experience flu-like symptoms, such as chills, fever, and fatigue, for 2–3 days following the treatment. Other common side effects include: a burning sensation or discomfort in the bladder.
What are the side effects of BCG for bladder cancer?
Common side effects of BCG include needing to urinate more often; burning or pain when urinating; blood in the urine; a mild fever; and tiredness. These side effects usually last a couple of days after each BCG treatment session. Less often, the BCG may spread through the body and can affect any organ.
How long does BCG bladder treatment stay in your system?
Because BCG is a live vaccine, there are some important safety measures to keep in mind that your doctor can explain. 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.
Does BCG cause stomach problems?
Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or diarrhea may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Does BCG treatment affect the immune system?
Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination has been reported to decrease susceptibility to respiratory tract infections, an effect proposed to be mediated by the general long-term boosting of innate immune mechanisms, also termed trained immunity.
Do BCG side effects get worse with each treatment?
The irritative reactions usually are seen following the third instillation and tend to increase in severity after each administration. There is no evidence that dose reduction or antituberculous drug therapy can prevent or lessen the irritative symptoms of TheraCys.
How long does it take for your bladder to heal after Turbt?
It will take 6 weeks from the date of surgery to fully recover from your operation. This can be divided into two parts -- the first 2 weeks and the last 4 weeks. During the first 2 weeks from the date of your surgery, it is important to be "a person of leisure".
What are the chances of bladder cancer returning after BCG treatment?
“Initially, it's effective,” says medical oncologist Noah Hahn, M.D. However, adds urologist Max Kates, M.D., “while up to 35 percent of patients have long-term, sustained remissions with intravesical BCG, as many as 60 percent of patients will have a recurrence of cancer within two years.
Can BCG treatment damage the bladder?
The most common complications associated with BCG treatment are relatively minor. They include urinary frequency, cystitis, fever, and hematuria. Although serious complications are rare, patients can develop severe, life-threatening sepsis with disseminated mycobacterial infection.
How much water should you drink after a BCG treatment?
Drink two and a half to three litres (five to six pints) of fluids for the first 24 hours after the treatment to flush any remaining drug out of the bladder. This will also help prevent bladder irritability. 2.
Can you drink alcohol when having BCG treatment?
The drinking of alcohol (in small amounts) does not appear to affect the safety or usefulness of BCG. Use a condom or abstain from sex for 1 week after treatment.