BCG treatment for bladder cancer

BCG is short for Bacillus Calmette Guérin. It is a type of immunotherapy drug. Immunotherapy drugs encourage the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. 

Some people may know BCG as a vaccine used to prevent tuberculosis (TB). But it is also a main treatment for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

For bladder cancer, BCG is given directly into the bladder (intravesical). This can make the bladder react in a way that makes the immune system get rid of cancer cells.

Recently there have been some difficulties with the availability of BCG. Your doctor or nurse will explain if this is likely to affect your treatment.

You have this treatment in the hospital outpatient department. Your nurse or doctor will give you advice on preparing for your treatment. For example, they will ask you to limit the amount of fluids you drink 4 to 6 hours before BCG treatment. This can:

• make it easier for you to keep the BCG in your bladder for the required time – this stops you needing to pass urine (pee) too early
• increase the concentration of the BCG in your bladder.

Tell your doctor if you take any medications. People who take water tablets should take them after the treatment. Water tables are also called diuretics.

When you arrive for your appointment you will be asked to pass urine. Your nurse will check this for infection. You will not be given BCG if you are feeling unwell or have a urine infection.

To have the treatment, a nurse passes a tube called a catheter through the urethra and into the bladder. They then slowly put the BCG through the catheter directly into the bladder.

Once the drug is in the bladder, the nurse usually takes the catheter out. They ask you not to pass urine for 2 hours. This gives the BCG time to work.

You can get up and walk around during this time. Your bladder may feel full and a bit uncomfortable but you can go to the toilet as soon as the treatment is finished.

Some hospitals will let you go home after the BCG has been put into your bladder and the catheter has been taken out. You are still asked not to pass urine for 2 hours. Once the 2 hours have passed you can go to the toilet at home.

Sometimes, the nurse leaves the catheter in and clamps it to keep the BCG in your bladder. When the treatment is over, the nurse removes the clamp and the BCG drains from your bladder into a urine bag. Your nurse then takes the catheter out.

It is important to remember that BCG is a live vaccine and other people should not be exposed to it. The nurse will ask you to take certain precautions for 6 hours after treatment. This will protect you and others from coming into contact with the BCG.

You will be asked to do the following:

• Sit down to pass urine. This avoids splashing urine on the toilet seat.
• Wash your hands and skin in and around your genital area with soap and water after you pass urine. This cleans any drops of BCG that may have splashed on to your skin
• Put undiluted bleach into the toilet bowl after you have passed urine and leave it for 15 minutes before flushing.

For the first few days after each treatment, try to drink 2 to 3 litres (3½ to 5 pints) of fluid a day. This helps to flush the drug out of your bladder.

Talk to your nurse if you are worried. They will tell you what you need to do after treatment.

Sex and contraception

You are usually advised not to have sex for at least 48 hours after the treatment as it may be uncomfortable.

Small amounts of BCG can get into your body fluids. This includes fluid made in the vagina and the fluid that contains sperm. To protect any partners, your cancer doctor may advise that for a week after this treatment you use:

• a condom for vaginal or anal sex
• a condom or a latex barrier such as a dental dam for oral sex.

Your cancer doctor or specialist nurse can give you more information about this.

Doctors do not yet know how BCG may affect an unborn baby. They will recommend you do not become pregnant or make someone pregnant while having it. You should use effective contraception during treatment. Your doctor or specialist nurse can give you more information about this.