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How do I manage blood thinners with bladder cancer treatment?

JM

Community Member

4 days ago

I was diagnosed with non-invasive stage 1 high grade tumor bladder cancer in Feb 2026. Urologist performed TURBT surgery ( I had a PE/DVT less than 2 weeks after the Covid vaccine 5 years ago and on blood thinners) Surgeon had me off my Xarelto a day prior to TURBT and kept me off it for 40+ days. Ten days or so after tumor removal had huge blood clot in bladder. Surgeon removed and opted to have IVC filter implanted. Then two weeks or so a catastrophic PE/DVT then emergency Thombectome. 4 hours. After this, hospital put me back on blood thinners. Urologist's decision to hold back my blood thinners for 40+ days provoked this. It almost killed me. My new doctor administered BCG treatment 6 weeks in a row in July timefeame. Was scoped in Sept and no sign of any cancer. Scheduled next month (Dec) for another sysoscopy. No blood in urine now, but scoping will determine things more certain. Sorry for the long narrative. It was a long, hard journey. Without getting angry all over again, let's just say I fired my first Urologist after the PE/DVT and then not even hearing from him or his office. New doctor is very good.

1 comment
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CA

Community Member

4 days ago

Thank you for sharing such a difficult journey. It takes courage, and it may help others facing bladder cancer treatment while on blood thinners. Because every person's situation is different, questions about when to pause or restart blood thinners around procedures like TURBT, BCG treatment, or a cystoscopy are best worked out with the full care team, such as the urologist and the doctor who manages clotting, so everyone is on the same plan. Wishing you a smooth upcoming scope, and community members are welcome to share questions they have asked their own care teams about blood thinners and bladder cancer care.

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