What should you know about bladder cancer vaccine?

BCG was originally developed as a vaccine against tuberculosis, but in bladder care it is used as an intravesical immunotherapy. A clinician passes a thin catheter through the urethra and puts the liquid medicine into the bladder. The medicine stays in contact with the bladder lining for a set period and stimulates a local immune response against abnormal cells. It is commonly considered after removal of certain non-muscle-invasive bladder tumours to reduce the chance of disease returning or progressing. It does not prevent every type of bladder cancer, and it is different from immunotherapy given through a vein.

Follow the treatment unit's instructions about drinking before the appointment and tell the team about fever, urinary infection symptoms, visible blood in the urine, difficulty passing urine, medicines that affect immunity, or a recent antibiotic course. After treatment, follow the clinic's directions for handling urine and hygiene because live BCG organisms may remain in the urine for a short time. Burning, urgency, frequent urination, tiredness, and mild flu-like feelings can occur. Record when symptoms begin and whether they settle before the next planned dose. Do not start leftover antibiotics or urinary remedies without checking with the treating team.

Contact the treatment team promptly for fever or chills, worsening weakness, cough or breathlessness, severe urinary pain, inability to pass urine, heavy bleeding or clots, or symptoms that are intense or persist beyond the timeframe the clinic gave you. These features need assessment for infection, urinary blockage, bleeding, or a wider reaction to BCG. If you feel severely unwell, confused, faint, or short of breath, seek urgent medical care rather than waiting for the next appointment.

Ask which type and risk category of bladder tumour you have, why BCG is recommended for it, how the course will be scheduled, and what could delay a dose. Clarify which side effects warrant a same-day call, how follow-up cystoscopy will check the bladder lining, and what alternatives may be considered if BCG is unsuitable or does not control the disease.