The aim of this thesis was to explore different aspects of treatment of advanced urinary bladder cancer with radical cystectomy, pelvic lymph node dissection, and urinary diversion. Surgery that carry a high risk of complications as well as mortality. Aside from complications and risk of recurrance, patients have to cope with lifelong postoperative changes of body function, including sexual function, and body image, all affecting quality of life (QoL). The thesis comprises four papers. In the first paper, we compared functional outcome and QoL following two types of ileal orthotopic neobladder substitution. The results suggest that the S-shaped substitute entails better functional results than the U-shaped substitute, with better continence, especially at night. There was no difference in QoL. The second paper reports results from the first year of registration in the nation-wide Swedish Cystectomy Register. Analysis of risk factors for complications showed that high age and prolonged operation are associated with increased risk of short-term complications. The third paper investigated whether preoperative chemotherapy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) affects the risk of shortterm complications after radical cystectomy, using data from the Cystectomy Register covering 1340 patients of whom 39 percent received preoperativevchemotherapy. We found no such increase in risk. In the fourth paper, we analysed the results of a validation study of the Cystectomy Register. The validation showed 17 percent more low grade complications, three percent more high grade complications, and five percent more readmissions, within 90 days of surgery. Hence, a third-party validation may improve the validity of the register
OBJECTIVE: To compare the functional outcome of two types of orthotopic bladder substitution, the S-shaped and the U-shaped neobladder, with respect to leakage, functional capacity and quality of life.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1999 and 2007, 45 male patients with urinary bladder cancer were treated with cystectomy and orthotopic bladder substitution; 23 with the S-shaped bladder ad modum Schreiter and 22 with the U-shaped bladder ad modum Studer. Patients were followed up by a urologist and a specialized nurse (urotherapist) at 1, 3 and 6 months. At each visit the patient completed a voiding chart, a weighted pad test and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Differences between the groups in functional outcome and quality of life variables were analysed by Student's t test using SPSS software.
RESULTS: Mean maximum bladder capacity increased over time. At 6 months, the S-bladder had a larger capacity than the U-bladder (525 ml vs 423 ml). Patients with an S-bladder had less urine leakage at all follow-ups, although this was statistically significant only at 6 months regarding day-time incontinence and at all visits regarding night-time incontinence. The mean urine leakage at 6 months was 7 g (day) and 30 g (night) in the S-bladder group and 50 g (day) and 250 g (night) in the U-bladder group. However, quality of life did not differ between the groups.
CONCLUSION: The S-bladder had better bladder capacity and less leakage than the U-bladder, but these differences did not translate into differences in quality of life. The results should be confirmed in larger prospective studies.
Objective: Cystectomy combined with pelvic lymph-node dissection and urinary diversion entails high morbidity and mortality. Improvements are needed, and a first step is to collect information on the current situation. In 2011, this group took the initiative to start a population-based database in Sweden (population 9.5 million in 2011) with prospective registration of patients and complications until 90 days after cystectomy. This article reports findings from the first year of registration.
Material and methods: Participation was voluntary, and data were reported by local urologists or research nurses. Perioperative parameters and early complications classified according to the modified Clavien system were registered, and selected variables of possible importance for complications were analysed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression.
Results: During 2011, 285 (65%) of 435 cystectomies performed in Sweden were registered in the database, the majority reported by the seven academic centres. Median blood loss was 1000 ml, operating time 318 min, and length of hospital stay 15 days. Any complications were registered for 103 patients (36%). Clavien grades 1-2 and 3-5 were noted in 19% and 15%, respectively. Thirty-seven patients (13%) were reoperated on at least once. In logistic regression analysis elevated risk of complications was significantly associated with operating time exceeding 318 min in both univariate and multivariate analysis, and with age 76-89 years only in multivariate analysis.
Conclusions: It was feasible to start a national population-based registry of radical cystectomies for bladder cancer. The evaluation of the first year shows an increased risk of complications in patients with longer operating time and higher age. The results agree with some previously published series but should be interpreted with caution considering the relatively low coverage, which is expected to be higher in the future.