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Onco BCG 80 mg: How It Works in Bladder Cancer Therapy
By Raveena M Prakash
Bladder cancer is one of the most common and life-threatening cancers affecting the urinary system, and while early detection offers better treatment outcomes, recurrence is a major challenge in patients. The most effective therapy used to prevent the risk of the recurrence of bladder cancer along with the progression of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is Onco BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin).
In this blog, we’ll discover more about Onco BCG 80 mg, and how it works in bladder cancer patients, and what can be expected before and after the treatment!
What is Onco BCG 80 mg?
Onco BCG, or Bacillus-Calmette Guerin, is a live attenuated strain of mycobacterium bovis that was first developed as a human vaccine to prevent the risk of tuberculosis. but it's now used as a cornerstone of treatment for bladder cancer.
A BCG 80 mg refers to the medicine dosage, which is commonly used for the treatment of intravesical therapy, which is often delivered directly into the bladder cancer. These drugs are manufactured under strict guidelines and are available in a lyophilized (freeze-dried) form that is reconstituted for use.
When is Onco BCG 80 mg used in Bladder cancer?
A BCG 80 mg drug generally used for the treatment of Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC), especially after the transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT).
These are also used in cases like,
- Carcinoma In Situ: This is a flat, high-grade cancer often confined to the bladder lining.
- High grade Ta or T1 tumors: These are types of tumors that have not invaded the muscle layer.
The major goal of using these drugs is to prevent the likelihood of recurrence and reduce the risk of progression after the initial surgical removal of the tumor.
How does Onco BCG 80 work in the bladder?
These BCG drugs work by stimulating the body’s immune system to identify and attack the cancer cells.
Here’s the mechanism of action,
An instillation to the bladder:
This BCG drug is often delivered directly to the bladder via catheter, which is typically once a week for 6 weeks (an induction phase).
Activation of the immune response:
These BCG bacterias attach to the bladder lining, which starts to trigger a localized immune response. Immune cells such as macrophages and T cells, start to flood the bladder, begin destroying the cancer cells.
Long term immune surveillance:
The immune activation might persist, which often offers an ongoing protection and reduces the recurrence over time in patients.
What is the Treatment Protocol for Onco BCG 80 mg?
Induction phase
Dosage: Generally, the advised dosage is 80 mg of Onco BCG, mixed with saline.
Frequency: These drugs are suggested to deliver once in a week for 6 consecutive weeks.
Administration: These are often delivered through a catheter direction into the bladder of the patients.
Maintenance phase
Dosage: These often follow the induction phase while depending on the patient’s treatment response.
Frequency: These are commonly scheduled as once a week for 3 weeks at 3, 6, and 12 months after the post-treatment. These treatments have often shown an improvement in patients, which has given long-term treatment outcomes in a high-risk group of patients.
What to expect during the treatment
Before instillation process
Here’s what you need to know:
- Avoid drinking any kinds of fluids 4 hours prior to the instillation process
- A catheter will be inserted into deliver the drug
After instillation process
- Doctors will advise the patients to hold the medication in the bladder for up to 2 hours.
- Doctors will recommend any kinds of movements (turning side to side) during this time which might distribute the medications.
Side effects
Here are some of the common side effects of BCG treatment session, including:
- Mild bladder irritation
- Low-grade fever
- Flu symptoms
- Experiencing blood in the urine
When to take a medical consultation:
If you are starting to experience a high-grade fever, along with some persistent urinary symptoms. While some of these symptoms can last 48 to 72 hours, if you are experiencing these symptoms for more than 3 days, then get immediate medical attention.
Note: Serious side effects are rarely reported, but the chance of systemic BCG infection can occur, which often requires immediate medical attention from the doctors with the help of anti-tuberculosis drugs.
What are the precautions and considerations?
Here are some of the precautions and considerations of these BCG drugs, these may include:
- Immunocompromised patients: These treatments should not be recommended to immunocompromised patients, as this can result in more complications.
- Post surgery: Many doctors suggest having some waiting period of at least 1 to 2 weeks after the bladder surgery before starting the surgery.
- Urinary tract infections: If you are experiencing any type of active UTIs must be treated before BCG therapy can start again.
- Sexual contact: Using protection like condoms is advisable for men during sexual intercourse for at least 1 week to prevent the chance of transmission of any active bacteria to your partner.
Consult Today
This BCG drug is often considered the standard medicine used for treating early-stage bladder cancer. The idea of placing BCG into the bladder might sound strange and unusual. This is a well-established and highly effective immunotherapy that is widely used for the treatment of bladder cancer.
At Oncare, we offer premium-quality cancer treatments, including advanced cancer surgeries at an affordable price range with an experienced cancer specialist consultation.
If you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with cancer, then visit Oncare Cancer Center and book an appointment with our experienced cancer specialist today! Get an estimated cost of your cancer treatments today!
Frequently Asked Questions
An Onco 80 mg often works by turning the cancer patient’s immune system into a cancer fighting tool, helps to eliminate the cancer cells in the bladder cells and prevent them from recurrence.
Here are some of the side effects, including:
- Experiencing urine urgency and frequency
- Dysuria
- Hematuria
- Bladder spasms
- Low grade fever
- Fatigue and malaise
- Chills, aches and pains
Here are some of the benefits, including:
- Reduce the risk of cancer recurrence
- Prevents the risk of muscle invasion disease
- Boosts local immune response
- Improve the long term survival chance
- Non systemic treatment
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