It is given as an intravesical therapy, inserted through a catheter to reach the interior of the bladder.
TICE BCG is the brand name of the BCG intravesical therapy that is currently on the market.
Two researchers, Calmette and Guerin, began investigating the bacteriaMycobacterium bovisin their lab.
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This bacteria is closely related toMycobacterium tuberculosis,the bacteria that causes tuberculosis infection.
It is still the only pop in of vaccine used to help prevent tuberculosis.
In the mid-1970s, researchers found a new way they could use BCG bacteria in medical treatment.
This is the bang out of BCG immunotherapy that is still used for some people with bladder cancer today.
In this kind of bladder cancer, the muscular bladder wall has not yet been affected.
BCG is recommended for people with high-grade tumors (which look more abnormal under a microscope).
BCG therapy has not been approved for treatment in children.
One of the big problems of treatment of NMIBC is that often the cancer will come back after treatment.
Its thought that BCG treatment may reduce the chances of the cancer returning (called recurrence).
BCGvaccinescan be used to prevent tuberculosis, and they are still used in much of the world.
However, that requires using and packaging BCG in a different way.
TICE BCG is placed in the bladder via a catheter when it is used as immunotherapy for bladder cancer.
When used in this way, BCG will not prevent tuberculosis.
TICE BCG is also not a vaccine that can be used topreventcancer.
Currently, BCG is only medically approved for the treatment of bladder cancer, not for other cancer types.
BCG therapy usually follows a procedure called transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT).
This treatment removes all visible cancer in the bladder.
That will help your clinician verify BCG therapy is safe for you.
People who are pregnant should not take BCG therapy if possible.
Pregnancy should be avoided while a person is undergoing BCG therapy, and breastfeeding is also not advised.
People who have certain types of medical issues should wait until these resolve before having BCG.
You should also finish any antibiotics taken for another medical reason before you have BCG therapy.
This is usually done in an outpatient setting.
The professionals there will assemble the BCG so that it can be safely administered.
You may need to limit your fluid intake before the procedure.
Just before it, youll need to empty out your bladder.
The solution containing the BCG is injected into the catheter.
The catheter is clamped to help the BCG remain inside the bladder, where it can start to work.
You may be asked to roll around a bit to help the medication reach all parts of the bladder.
After a couple of hours or so, the catheter is unclamped.
The fluid drains away, and someone removes the catheter.
Because BCG therapy includes an active, live bacteria, youll need to take certain precautions.
For about six hours after the treatment, you should urinate while seated (to avoid urine splashing).
During this time, you should also add bleach to the toilet for 15 minutes before flushing.
This will help disinfect the toilet.
You should also wash your genital region and your hands carefully.
After the treatment, you should increase your fluids to better help flush out the bladder.
If you do have sex during your course of treatment, youll need to use a condom.
People receiving BCG usually undergo multiple rounds of therapy.
You might have it once a week for six weeks.
Side Effects
Its not uncommon for people to experience temporary symptoms after BCG therapy.
Some of these might include
Such symptoms usually only last a day or two.
Severe complications from BCG are uncommon, but they do sometimes occur.
Because BCG does involve active bacteria, it can sometimes cause problems if the bacteria spread in the body.
Specific symptoms vary based on the organ involved.
Unusual pain, such as pain in the testes, is also a sign of concern.
You may have an infection related to BCG therapy.
You may need to stop your BCG therapy and treat these complications.
Complications of BCG therapy sometimes dont occur until years later.
That can happen if the BCG bacteria that spread in the body become reactivated.
These complications can sometimes be tricky to diagnose.
Medical imaging might first make your clinician concerned about cancer or about another throw in of bacterial infection.
ensure that all your medical care providers know that you have had BCG therapy.
That will help guide their diagnostic process and ensure you get the best possible care.
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