Radical Cystectomy Test

Cancer of the urinary bladder is the sixth leading cause of cancer death in the United States and the most expensive cancer to manage on a median-cost-per-case basis. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 70,000 new diagnoses and 14,000 deaths occurred in 2009. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2011, approximately 70,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with bladder cancer, and approximately 25% of them will eventually need to have their bladders removed to control the cancer. Bladder cancer occurs three times more often in men, usually between the ages of 50 to 70 years old.

You will not go through this surgery alone. While in the hospital, you will be given instructions on the care of your catheters and stents. A nurse specializing in stomas will see you several times if you have a stoma. For many patients, visiting nurses will come to your home daily to help you care for your drains and check on you after you are discharged from the hospital. A radical cystectomy and urinary diversion can present a difficult emotional adjustment. Support is available to help patients deal with this impact on their lives. A social worker is part of the team to care for patients while in the hospital. Patients or their families can request a social worker to help provide emotional support during this difficult time.

Cystectomy is used to remove and attempt to cure cancer that has invaded the wall of the bladder or has come back (recurred) following an initial treatment or has a high chance of spreading.