Cystectomy (Bladder Removal)

Cystectomy is the full or partial surgical removal of the bladder, most often used to treat invasive bladder cancer.

It is a complex procedure where some or all of the urinary bladder is removed. The bladder stores urine before it is passed from the body. Cystectomy is often performed after radiation and/or chemotherapy treatments for bladder cancer.

Procedure Details

During cystectomy, your surgeon may remove part of your bladder (partial cystectomy) or the entire bladder (radical cystectomy). The procedure can be done through open cystectomy with one long incision, or minimally invasive methods like laparoscopic or robotic cystectomy.

Types of Cystectomy:

Partial cystectomy: Only a part of the bladder is removed, often including nearby lymph nodes.
Radical cystectomy: The entire bladder and nearby lymph nodes are removed. In men, this may include the removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles, and in women, the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, and sometimes part of the vaginal wall.

Urinary Tract Reconstruction:

Ileal conduit: A small portion of the small intestine is used to create a stoma for urine to exit the body, collected in an ostomy bag.
Continent cutaneous diversion: A reservoir made from part of the intestine stores urine, which is emptied periodically with a catheter.
Neobladder: A piece of intestine forms a new bladder, connected to the urethra, allowing natural urination.

Risks / Benefits

Benefits of Cystectomy:

Removal of cancerous tissue improves chances of recovery from bladder cancer.

Risks of Cystectomy:

Like any major surgery, risks include bleeding, blood clots, infection, organ damage, and reactions to anesthesia. Bladder removal surgery can cause changes in urination and, for some, sexual side effects.