Psychosocial adjustment to cystectomy for bladder carcinoma and effects on interpersonal relationships

Postoperative adjustment and the psychosocial consequences of cystectomy were studied in 34 patients with bladder carcinoma. Urinary diversion was accomplished via a conduit in 20 patients and a continent caecal reservoir in 14. Interviews with the patients were conducted according to a semistructured outline. The great majority adjusted fairly well, mainly due to support from family members. Help was provided by medical staff in only a few cases. While relationships with friends were unchanged, those with spouse/partner were commonly disturbed by sexual problems and presence of a urostoma. The mode of urinary diversion had no influence on the studied variables. Despite a high acceptance level of their malignant affliction, several patients did not accept their present situation. Lack of psychologic support from the health services was a common experience.