In 2009, the National Cancer Institute estimates that approximately 70,980 new cases of bladder cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin is the generic name for TICE BCG, a chemotherapy drug used to treat bladder cancer (chemocare.com; drugs.com). The drug itself is a bacterial strain, and is thought to interact with the immune system (drugs.com).
Administration of BCG
Intravesicular chemotherapy is chemotherapy that is placed into the bladder through a tube that goes through the urethra, and this mode of infusion can be used with bladder cancer (cancer.gov). BCG chemotherapy is given by intravesicular infusion over approximately 2 hours, on an outpatient basis (chemocare.com). Although the exact schedule of chemotherapy may vary, depending on the stage and extent of your cancer, treatment with BCG is typically given weekly for 6 weeks, and then monthly for 6 to 12 months, according to Chemocare.com.
Effects of BCG
As with many medications, treatment with BCG comes with the possibility of side effects. Not everyone will experience all the side effects, and many side effects can be controlled or managed. Common side effects of BCG include difficult or painful urination, blood in the urine, fatigue, chills and generalized body aches (chemocare.com). One side effect of BCG can be serious, and this is called systemic BCG reaction, according to Chemocare.com. This consists of a high fever lasting 24 to 48 hours, confusion and dizziness and shortness of breath (chemocare.com). This reaction can lead to other problems, including pneumonia, respiratory distress and sepsis.
Precautions
Before starting treatment with BCG, tell your doctor about any medications you are on, as well as if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, as this drug can cause adverse effects on a fetus (chemocare.com). Transmission of BCG can occur through sex, so men on this treatment should not have sex for 48 hours after a treatment, and wear a condom throughout treatment (chemocare.com). To help minimize side effects of BCG, you should limit fluid intake prior to the treatment and avoid caffeine or alcohol on days you get chemotherapy because of the possibility of bladder irritation (chemocare.com). Getting rest and eating well can also help you with dealing with side effects of BCG.
