Orthotopic ileal neobladder reconstruction for bladder cancer: is adjuvant chemotherapy safe?

We examined our database of patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) with orthotopic neobladder (NB) to determine whether adjuvant chemotherapy in this group is safe.

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent radical cystectomy and urinary diversion between 1992 and 2004. Relevant clinical and therapeutic data were entered into a database. High-risk bladder cancer patients who underwent NB were identified. They were stratified into 2 groups, those who received adjuvant chemotherapy and those who did not. The incidence of complications between the 2 groups was analyzed and compared.

Over the 12-year period, 136 patients underwent RC and NB construction for bladder cancer. Of these, 83 patients were at high risk for recurrence. Nineteen patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and 64 did not. The complication rate in the adjuvant chemotherapy group was 53% and it was 23% in those who did not receive chemotherapy. There were no perioperative or treatment related death. There were 2 patients with grade 4 toxicity in the adjuvant chemotherapy group. There was a statistical difference between these two groups with regard to the incidence of complications. However, none of these complications was life-threatening, required only conservative treatment and caused no long-term disability.

Adjuvant chemotherapy is a safe treatment for patients undergoing RC and NB substitution. Hence, the option of orthotopic NB should not be denied in selected bladder cancer patients with high risk for recurrent disease.