bladder transplant??

[dipietrom]

I know this is kinda out there, but I figured with all the research ICer's do, someone may have some answers. My dad was just diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his bladder and one of the options is a bladder transplant/replacement. has anyone come across this treatment for IC?

[ICLori]

I haven't heard of a bladder transplant exactly being done on IC patients, but there are quite a few IC patients who do end up having their bladders removed, and then they either have an internal pouch which they catheterize several times a day, or an external bag attached to a stoma. That is basically what the replacement for a bladder is, at this point - just a bag that is either inside you, constructed of your own bowel tissues, or a bag outside of you made of plastic. Either way, you will never void normally again. But some IC patients do experience relief from urgency/frequency/pain from these operations, and some IC'ers don't have much of a choice, if their bladder gets to the point where it is shrunken due to scar tissue and no longer holds more than a few teaspoons of urine.

Blessings,
Lori

[asn]

It would be great!, And I'm sure that they have to make research about this. why they can transplant lungs, hearts, skin, eyes, FACES, kidneys!!!!!!
I hope they could, and if they can, I would love that all the IC'ers that are suffering terrible pain, could get the first transplants!!!!!!

[tabasco32]

but what if they could.? would the disease come back and attack the new bladder as well?

[glassd18]

I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad. I hope whatever they do goes well, and I'll say a prayer for him.

Tabasco32 that was my question too, and you'd probably have to take anti rejection drugs too.

[Imustpee]

I had my bladder removed in Dec and I AM SO FREAKIN HAPPY!!! My pouch holds 750 cc's and I pee every 4 hours...no IC symptoms at all!!! It's GONE!!!

[yvette]

Dr. Atala gave that girl (in CT?) a new bladder that they grew from her own tissue...and that possibly could become a reality for IC people. And it would be possible to grow a healthy bladder from an IC affected one.....

See Jill's post in either Jill's Journal or ICN aAnnoucements Forum. I don't remeber all the details offhand

(Megan: Dr. Atala actually had a practice in Boston at Children's Hospital)

I think that would be fantastic...I didn't get IC til i was 22....even if I went another 22 years...that'd be fine with me! :smile tee

[**Angie**]

My SIL is from Brasil and her grandfather is a Dr--she was telling him about my IC and asking what they were doing there --he said they are doing pig bladder transplants. Wow!!! I'd like to talk to someone who's had that done.
So sorry to here about your Daddy. :pray:
angie

[Trishann]

Awhile back I was teasing my doctor about having a transplant bladder, and he smiled and said "I can't do that but I can make you one". I was shock, at that time, I did not know nothing about making a bladder.

I also heard about using our own tissue or cell or something from our bladder and it will make a new one. But I don't think it was ever done on IC bladders.
I wish that was FDA approved.

Pigs bladder, hmmmm, I heard about it, I just don't know about it. Seems weird but I guess it can happen.

Hugs, Trishann

[IcyAngel23]

From what I was told from my dr is that they can only make parts of a bladder not the whole organ.They patch it with cells they can salvage from your old bladder and make new ones to take place of the damaged cells. So far this is only being done for peds cancer patients for that reason.The technology isn't at the point where it would benefit an Icer but hopefully in the next five years it will be. I've been looking into this because right now I'm taking anti-rejection drugs as a last resort to help my IC.

[Judith56]

I am sorry about your dad's diagnosis. I know they have been experimenting wiht transpalnts and to my knowledge have not had the best outcomes, but I ahve not read anything in awhile, so maybe thigns are better now,. I would be curious as to exactly what they plan on doing. I had my bladder out almost 21 years ago. I currently have an internal pouch made from my intestine that functions as my bladder. It is wonderful. Please let us know how your dad is doing.I wish both of you the best. Judith

[yvette]

http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2006-04/2006-04-05-voa35.cfm

Here is the story I was referring to....I think it gives us all great hope! :)

If this little girl could a transplant....maybe we all could get one...Hooray!