[Radical cystectomy for bladder cancer is a complex procedure]

Radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer is a complex procedure with an inherent risk of complications and even postoperative mortality. Historically, RC was performed in 44 hospitals in Sweden, which gradually decreased over time, and since a formal regional centralisation of these operations in 2017, cystectomy care is currently provided by nine hospitals. In the Swedish national urinary bladder cancer register (SNRUBC), complications after RC has been registered with high coverage since 2012, with data presented in an interactive online data resource (RODRET). Over time, an increased median age and proportion of patients with significant comorbidity (ASA 3 or 4) were observed between 2012 and 2022. A simultaneous decrease in 90-day mortality from 7 percent to 2 percent was noted, as well as a decreased need for reoperations within 90 days of RC from 11 percent to 7 percent. It is likely that the regionalization of the cystectomy care in Sweden has contributed to these improved outcomes.