Radical cystectomy (RC) has the potential for profound changes to health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
To evaluate a broad range of HRQOL outcomes in a large RC cohort.
A single-center prospective study enrolled RC patients from 2008 to 2014. We collected 14 separate patient-reported outcome measures at the presurgical visit and at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 mo after RC.
To visualize the patterns of recovery over time across domains, we used generalized estimating equations (GEEs) with nonlinear terms. Given substantial differences in patient selection for the type of urinary diversion, we separately modeled longitudinal HRQOL within conduit and continent diversion groups. The mean pre-RC scores were compared to illustrate the baseline HRQOL differences between diversion groups.
The analyzed cohort included 411 patients (n = 205 ileal conduit, n = 206 continent diversion). At baseline, patients receiving continent diversion reported better mean physical (p < 0.001), urinary (p = 0.006), and sexual function (p < 0.001), but lower social function (p = 0.015). After RC, GEE modeling showed physical function scores decreasing 5/100 points by 6 mo, and subsequently stabilizing or returning to baseline. By 12 mo, social function improved by 10/100 points among continent diversions, while remaining stable among ileal conduits. Global quality of life exceeded baseline scores by 6 mo. Sexual function scores were low before RC, with limited recovery. Psychosocial domains were stable or improved, except for 10/100-point worsening of body image among ileal conduits.
RC patients reported favorable HRQOL recovery within 24 mo in most areas other than body image (ileal conduits) and sexual function (both). Importantly, large measurable decreases in scores were not reported by 3 mo after RC. These contemporary outcomes and the excellent locoregional control provided by RC further support it as the gold standard therapy for high-risk bladder cancer.
We review quality of life in the 24 mo following radical cystectomy. Large decreases in health-related quality of life were not reported, with most areas returning to, or exceeding, baseline, except for sexual function and body image.
European urology. 2021 Oct 08 [Epub ahead of print]
Matthew B Clements, Thomas M Atkinson, Guido M Dalbagni, Yuelin Li, Andrew J Vickers, Harry W Herr, S Machele Donat, Jaspreet S Sandhu, Daniel S Sjoberg, Amy L Tin, Bruce D Rapkin, Bernard H Bochner
Urology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA., Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA., Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA., Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA., Urology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address: .