Cystectomy or radiotherapy?

Should I have a cystectomy or radiotherapy?

There is very little evidence to say that radiotherapy or cystectomy is a better treatment for many patients with bladder cancer that has spread into the muscle of the bladder wall but has not spread elsewhere in the body.

The choice of treatment for patients depends on a number of things.

Some patients may not be fit for a major operation but be fit for radical radiotherapy.

The type of bladder cancer on biopsy may make cystectomy or radiotherapy a better option.

If you have a lot of urinary frequency or urgency, particularly if this has been happening for many months or years, then radiotherapy would not be the best treatment as your urinary function would be likely to get worse.

If you have no bladder symptoms and the cancer is in a single area of the bladder, radiotherapy may be a better option.

It is important to discuss with your doctor whether you are suitable for both options and to understand the advantages and disadvantages with each approach. It is usually helpful to talk to an oncologist and a urologist.