There is new hope for patients with bladder cancer, and it comes in the form of something that looks like a miniature pretzel. It’s a new way to deliver chemotherapy and avoid major surgery, and a Pennsylvania man became the first patient to receive the revolutionary treatment.<\/p>\n
Fred Ratke has bladder cancer that doctors think may have been caused by his exposure to Agent Orange during his two tours of duty in Vietnam.<\/p>\n
“I’ve been through quite a few chemo treatments,” Ratke said. “And surgeries to remove the tumors.”<\/p>\n
When those interventions didn’t work, the 79-year-old turned to the Fox Chase Cancer Center, where he became the first patient in Pennsylvania to have a revolutionary new FDA-approved treatment called Inlexzo. It’s a pretzel-looking device that delivers chemotherapy directly into the bladder. It’s an alternative to removing the bladder.<\/p>\n
“I didn’t want that to happen because of my lifestyle. I’m so active,” Ratke said. “So, I said, ‘I’m willing to try anything.’ When I first heard about the pretzels, I’m saying, ‘How are you going to put a little mini pretzel inside the bladder?'”<\/p>\n
Physician assistant Elena Dreyzin said for patients it’s like being catheterized.<\/p>\n
The Inlexzo device goes in a small tube that’s inserted through the urethra. When it’s in the bladder, it takes on a pretzel shape.<\/p>\n
“This little piece stays in the bladder for three weeks through several cycles and releases a little bit of chemotherapy throughout the whole day,” Dreyzin said.<\/p>\n
Dreyzin added that it’s targeted therapy that kills the cancer without causing other chemotherapy side effects.<\/p>\n
Ratke said he’s thrilled and relieved to be enjoying time with his family.<\/p>\n
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