Place of cystectomy in superficial bladder cancer

Between January 1978 and June 1985, 44 patients underwent cystectomy for clinically diagnosed superficial bladder cancer. Operative mortality was 13.6%. Early and late complications were observed in 34 and 55% patients, respectively. Clinical understaging was seen in 23%, and stage reduction in 18% of the patients. Clinical staging was correct in 59% of the patients. The mean follow-up was 40 months (range, 24-84 months). Five patients presented local recurrence (13%) of the tumor and 10 patients showed distant metastases (26%). Urethral and upper urinary tract recurrences were observed in 7 and 4 patients, respectively. Fourteen patients (39%) died of cancer after a mean follow-up of 24 months. The actuarial 5-year survival was achieved by 77% of the patients with PTo-PTa-PTis and by 67% of the patients with PT1 (p, not significant).