Urethral dysplasia and bladder cancer in cystectomy specimens

Sixty-five patients had a cystectomy for a solitary bladder tumour (28) or multifocal lesions (37). The histological extent of the disease within the bladder was correlated with mucosal abnormalities within the urethra. The presence of multifocal or solitary bladder disease was not an accurate predictor of the presence or absence of urethral dysplasia. Details of mortality and morbidity associated with one-stage cysto-urethrectomy are presented and it is concluded that irrespective of whether the bladder contains a solitary or multifocal tumour, complete cysto-urethrectomy should be considered as the treatment of choice whenever cystectomy for attempted cure is indicated.