BCG Treatment for Bladder Cancer

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a bacterial strain used for treatment of bladder cancer. With successful results and less side effects, BCG treatment for bladder cancer is getting lots of attention in the last few decades. In medical science, there are no clear findings about the working of BCG in treating bladder cancer. Popularly recommended as an immunotherapeutic agent, it is believed that BCG either triggers the immune responses to fight against cancerous cells or increase inflammatory responses to invade cancerous cells. In some regions, BCG vaccine is still in use to prevent tuberculosis.

What is BCG Treatment for Bladder Cancer?

Sold under the trade name TICE BCG, it is the most preferred therapeutic intervention for management of bladder cancer symptoms. Advocating specific dosage of BCG is found to be effective in treating patients who are diagnosed with stage 0 and stage 1 bladder cancer. Also, it is effectual to prevent recurrent growth of cancerous cells in the bladder. Thus, some physicians recommend using BCG as a postoperative treatment after removing cancer by transurethral resection operation.

The BCG for bladder cancer is derived from attenuated form of live bovine tuberculosis bacteria (scientific name Mycobacterium tuberculosis), which has been cultured in controlled conditions for several years. After culturing in the laboratory for a stipulated time, the organisms are weakened to a certain extent. When introduced in the body, they do not cause tuberculosis, rather BCG elicits the body's immune system to restore the natural defense mechanism of the body.

While following BCG treatment for bladder cancer, the doctor prescribes preparatory steps to every patient. In order to get optimal effectiveness, BCG should be given in an empty bladder. So, one should no drink anything for 4 hours before the treatment. In the treatment session, a urinary catheter is used to deliver BCG directly into the bladder. Another consideration is to keep the medication in direct contact with the bladder walls for at least 2 hours. Hence, urination is not allowed for two hours after BCG treatment to get better results.

After administering BCG for treating bladder cancer, the patient should reduce intake of fluids for the next few hours. He/she will be asked to lie down and change position after every 15-20 minutes. This helps in entire washing of the bladder walls with the medicinal solution. For the first 6 weeks, BCG is administered once per week for bladder cancer treatment. Following this, BCG treatment is done at an interval of 3-6 months for the next 2 years. During the treatment duration, the patient is closely monitored by the doctor. Overall, bladder cancer survival rates are increased with the intervention of BCG treatment.

BCG Treatment for Bladder Cancer Side Effects

The BCG treatment for bladder cancer works in a totally different manner, when compared to chemotherapy. Since this approach makes use of the bacterial strains to boost the body's own immune responses, the side effects of BCG treatment are minimal, tolerable and often temporary. In fact, some patients do not have any adverse responses with BCG treatment. Mild side effects of BCG treatment for bladder cancer include skin rashes, cough, bladder irritation and increased lethargy. These symptoms may last for about 3 days.

Speaking about severe side effects of BCG treatment for bladder cancer, one should consult the doctor in case of infection, flu like symptoms (chills and fever) and urinary tract problems (incontinence, blood in urine and burning sensation during urination). Very rarely, people complain of inflammation in the lung tissues, hepatitis and low white blood cells count with this cancer treatment. Medical researches are ongoing to examine various BCG strains and schedule followed for treatment, so as to get effective results.