[A stage-dependent follow-up strategy after radical cystectomy for bladder carcinoma]

With the aim of developing stage-dependent follow-up strategy after radical cystectomy for bladder carcinoma, the records of 111 patients with bladder carcinoma who underwent radical cystectomy during the period between 1986 and 2003, were reviewed for the date and site of recurrence. Intrapelvic recurrence developed in 3 out of 56 patients with pT1> or =, 1 of 22 with pT2 and 6 out of 33 with pT3< or = at a median of 34 (range 32-58), 28, 8 (4-51) months, respectively. Extrapelvic recurrence developed in 20 patients with pT1> or =, 4 with pT2 and 14 with pT3< or = at a median of 43 (20-66), 15.5 (13-20), 8 (2-46) months, respectively. Recurrence developed earlier and more frequently in patients with pT3< or = and pT2 than those with pT1> or =. A stage-specific approach to tumor surveillance after radical cystectomy for bladder carcinoma, taking into consideration the risk of recurrence, represents a new approach for efficiently detecting recurrence and reducing medical costs. Our results offer the possibility of a new stage-specific approach to tumor surveillance after radical cystectomy for bladder carcinoma, for efficiently detecting recurrence and reducing medical costs, taking into consideration the risk of recurrence.