Bcg Immunotherapy Bladder Cancer Side Effects

Theracys bcg live intravesical is made using the organisms of a bacteria bacillus calmette and guérin used to treat bladder cancer that is localized has not spread to other parts of the body.

Bcg immunotherapy bladder cancer side effects.

Side effects requiring immediate medical attention blood in urine fever and chills frequent urge to urinate increased frequency of urination joint pain nausea and vomiting painful urination severe or continuing. Bladder irritation e g difficult painful frequent bloody urination urine leakage or incontinence. It s given directly into the bladder intravesical. Bcg is actually a vaccine to guard against tuberculosis but administering it directly in the bladder triggers an immune response against bladder cancer cells.

Pain or cramping in your belly. Bcg is more commonly known as a vaccine used to treat tuberculosis tb. But there can be a few side effects such as. But not all experts agree on this treatment.

Bcg is placed in the bladder to react in a way that triggers the immune system to get rid of cancer cells. Coughing trouble breathing or chest pain. The body s natural response to bcg is thought to help the immune system better respond to cancer cells. Fatigue nausea loss of appetite fever urinary tract infections utis rash diarrhea constipation.

Dark or brownish urine. Bloody or black poop. The fda has approved several immunotherapy drugs to treat bladder cancer. Side effects of these drugs can include.

Weakness in your limbs. This may be a sign of infection. The main bcg side effect is flu like symptoms such as fever chills and fatigue. Common side effects of theracys include.

Gemcitabine may cause fewer side effects than mitomycin and is less likely to be absorbed into the blood. Fever chills fatigue a burning sensation in the bladder urinary urgency or frequent urination blood in the urine. Valrubicin might be used if bcg stops working. If your fever does not respond to medicine contact your doctor.

Other common side effects include. The main side effects of intravesical chemo are irritation and a burning feeling in the bladder and blood in the urine. Bacillus calmette guerin bcg is an immunotherapy derived from bacteria used to treat some kinds of bladder cancer.