Bladder cancer is a heterogeneous disease that includes both tumors with low risk of dissemination as well as highly malignant tumors with a considerable potential to metastasize. The patient's quality of life is closely related to the management of the disease. The challenge for the urologist is to acknowledge the malignant potential of the cancer and to adjust the approach to the patient accordingly. Patients with low-risk bladder cancer should avoid an exaggerated follow-up, but on the other hand high-risk patients must be sufficiently surveyed to secure that definitive surgical treatment is performed before it's too late. When the decision to perform a cystectomy has been made, it is crucial that the patient understands the consequences of the surgery as well as the possible options for urinary reconstruction. This review focuses on aspects of bladder cancer management that we believe are vital for the quality of life of these patients.
Written by:
Roaldsen M, Aarsaether E, Knutsen T, Patel HR. Are you the author?
Department of Urology and Endocrine Surgery, University Hospital of North Norway, N-9038 Tromsø, Norway.
Reference: Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res. 2014 May 12:1-8.
doi: 10.1586/14737167.2014.917967
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24813931
Go "Beyond the Abstract" - Read an article written by the authors for UroToday.com
UroToday.com Bladder Cancer Section