Intravesical BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Vaccine)

What is a BCG?

 

Intravesical BCG immunotherapy is used for high grade bladder tumours, often in patients with multiple or recurrent tumours. Treatment with intravesical BCG has shown to delay progression to the muscle or/and metastatic disease, preserve the bladder and decrease the possibility of death from bladder cancer.

 

BCG was originally developed as a vaccine (and continues to be used in some countries as vaccination against tuberculosis). It has since been found to be effective against superficial bladder tumours.

 

Why is it done?

 

Intravesical BCG, an inactivated form of the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is administered via a urinary catheter directly into the bladder where it remains for 2 hours. It is thought it stimulates an immune response within the bladder which is successful in reducing the recurrence of bladder cancer, possibly by destroying any remaining cancer cells.

 

How is it done?

 

A urinary catheter is passed into your bladder and the BCG is instilled via gravity through the catheter into your bladder. The catheter is then removed and the liquid remains inside your bladder for 2 hours. You will be asked to lie on your front, back and side for approx 15 mins each. The bladder is then emptied.

 

Treatment for the BCG will be once a week (normally a Thursday at approx 1.00pm) for 6 consecutive weeks.  You will be in hospital approximately up to 4 hours.

 

Before each treatment, discuss any side effects or problems you may have experienced following the last treatment with your nurse or doctor–

• Feeling sick or have been vomiting
• A cough
• Pain or burning when voiding
• Skin rash
• Had tuberculosis (TB) in the past
• Bladder infection
• Operation to remove bladder tumour
• Blood in urine
• Allergies

You will require a follow up cystoscopy about 3 months after you have finished treatment. We will contact you to make this appointment.