Cystectomy

1. What is Cystectomy?

Cystectomy is surgery to remove the urinary bladder. A partial cystectomy removes only the affected portion of the bladder, while a radical cystectomy removes the entire bladder and, when necessary, nearby tissues and lymph nodes.

2. When is it Recommended?

It may be recommended for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, high-risk or recurrent bladder cancer, or selected tumours that cannot be adequately controlled with other bladder-preserving treatments.

3. What Symptoms May a Patient Notice?

Possible symptoms include blood in the urine, frequent urination, burning or pain while urinating, an urgent need to urinate, difficulty urinating or pelvic discomfort. Blood in the urine may sometimes be the only noticeable symptom.

4. What Does the Treatment Involve?

The surgeon removes the affected portion or entire bladder. Following radical cystectomy, a urinary diversion is created to provide a new route for urine to leave the body.

5. What Are the Main Treatment Options?

The main surgical options are partial cystectomy and radical cystectomy. Radical cystectomy may be performed through open, laparoscopic or robotic-assisted surgery. Urinary diversion options include an ileal conduit, continent urinary diversion or neobladder, depending on the patient's suitability.

6. How Long Does Treatment & Recovery Take?

Hospitalisation after radical cystectomy is commonly around 7–10 days. Published studies report median hospital stays of approximately 7–8 days after radical cystectomy. Recovery at home generally takes several weeks, with many patients requiring around 2–3 months for broader recovery.

7. What Are the Important Risks or Considerations?

Cystectomy is a major urological operation, particularly when the entire bladder is removed. A systematic review of randomised studies reported gastrointestinal complications in approximately 20%, infectious complications in 17% and ileus (temporary bowel paralysis) in 14% following radical cystectomy. Individual risk varies according to age, overall health, cancer stage and type of urinary diversion.

8. Why Consider Treatment in India?

India has specialised urology and uro-oncology centres offering open, laparoscopic and robotic cystectomy, lymph-node surgery, urinary reconstruction and multidisciplinary bladder-cancer treatment.

9. How Can Medavelle Help?

Medavelle can assist with urology and pathology report review, urologist and uro-oncologist coordination, hospital selection, surgical and urinary-diversion planning, international patient arrangements and follow-up coordination.

10. What Should the Patient Do Next?

Share your reports → Urology/uro-oncology evaluation → Bladder & cancer assessment → Treatment recommendation → Treatment planning in India.