How can you care for yourself after bladder instillation therapy for cancer?
After your procedure:
- Rest when you feel tired. You can do your normal activities when it feels okay to do so.
- Drink plenty of fluids. This will help remove the medicines from your bladder.
- Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. You'll get instructions about taking any new medicines.
- Your doctor will give you instructions for how to safely flush urinals and toilets and clean up after your procedure.
- You may need to:
- Avoid using public urinals and toilets for a certain amount of time.
- Wash your hands and genitals after urinating. This can help prevent skin irritations.
- Wash any clothing that may have urine on it. Wash this separately from other clothing.
- Use condoms or dental dams during sex. Do this for at least 1 week after the procedure. Your doctor may suggest that you use them longer.
After bladder instillation therapy for cancer: When to call
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have symptoms of a urinary tract infection. These may include:
- Pain or burning when you urinate.
- A frequent need to urinate without being able to pass much urine.
- Pain in the flank, which is just below the rib cage and above the waist on either side of the back.
- Blood or pus in your urine.
- A fever.
- Your urine smells bad.
- You can't pass any urine.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you have any problems.
What happens on the day of your bladder instillation therapy for cancer?
- Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking. If you don't, your procedure may be canceled. If your doctor told you to take your medicines on the day of the procedure, take them with only a sip of water.
- Follow your doctor's instructions about when to delay taking certain medicines.
At the doctor's office or hospital
- Bring a picture ID.
- You will collect a urine sample.
- You will lie on your back. The doctor will clean your genitals.
- Your doctor will put a catheter into your bladder through the urethra.
- Fluid and medicines are placed into your bladder through the catheter. You may stay in the doctor's office while they are in your bladder. You'll hold them in your bladder for a certain amount of time. How long you hold the medicine depends on why it's being done.
- You may be asked to turn from side to side for a certain amount of time. This will allow the medicines to reach all areas of your bladder.
- You'll sit on the toilet to release the medicines from your bladder. Or they will be drained through the catheter.
- You will get instructions for how to safely flush and clean up after your procedure.
- The procedure often takes about 1 to 2 hours.
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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.