Surgical Management of Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Review of Current Recommendations

OBJECTIVE: To provide a narrative overview of contemporary surgical management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer with focus on radical cystectomy and urinary tract reconstruction.

DATA SOURCES: International guidelines and a search for articles in PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane Database for single and collaborative studies on surgical management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

CONCLUSION: Patients diagnosed with muscle invasive bladder cancer often have complex treatment and care needs. For those who undergo radical cystectomy as the curative treatment, there is a considerable risk of general complications after major surgery and short- and long-term complications specific to reconstruction of the urinary tract after radical cystectomy. Contemporary care focuses on perioperative optimization to lower rates of major complications, enhanced recovery protocols, and focus on rehabilitation and cancer survivorship.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses are integral members of the multidisciplinary team around patients undergoing surgery for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, and are in a position to coordinate pathways for these patients who often have complex care needs because of preexisting comorbidity and limited personal resources that impede recovery after major surgery and cancer survivorship.