Ovarian metastases from carcinoma of the bilharzial urinary bladder

A pathologic study of 135 cases of carcinoma of the bilharzial urinary bladder treated with radical anterior pelvic exenteration, including 60 cases examined by subserial sections of both ovaries, did not reveal a single incidence of ovarian metastases from bladder carcinoma. The same observation has been reported by some investigators examining the more aggressive forms of bladder carcinoma seen in Western countries. Based on these findings, we recommend that at least one ovary, the one away from the tumors, should be retained with an intact blood supply to avoid the distressing symptoms of menopausal syndrome. This is especially advisable in our patients where carcinoma of the bladder occurs at a younger age.