Bianca JSS Davide

Conference 2023 Presentation

Project title

Quality of life afer cystectomy: a literature review

Authors and Affiliations

Bianca Júlia Davide1, Lidiane Gomes Bandeira2, Julie Sarandy Nascimento3, Luca de Carvalho Contieri4, Rafaela Ferreira Melli5

1. Faculdade Pernambucana de Saúde (FPS) – Recife-PE, Brazil
2. Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE)-Caruaru- PE, Brazil
3. Universidade Positivo (UP)- Curitiba-PR, Brazil
4. Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR) – Curitiba – PR, Brazil
5. Centro Universitário Atenas – Paracatu – MG, Brazil

Abstract

Background

Cystectomy is defined as surgery to remove the bladder and lymph nodes, being considered the gold standard in cases of high-risk cancer, muscle-invasive or not. It is known that it is a complex procedure, often related to several postoperative complications and, consequently, long-term damage to the patients’ quality of life.

Methods

Literature review using the search terms “quality of life” AND “cystectomy”, in the PUBMED database, totaling 36 articles identified. Inclusion criteria were: studies referring to patients undergoing cystostomy with prognosis and post-surgical results evaluated, totaling 12 articles included.

Results

Standards of care for bladder cancer are chemotherapy and repair by segmental or radical cystectomy. Significant damage to the quality of life of patients is noted in the radical cystectomy procedure, since although the reconstruction of the urinary tract through conduit diversions proves to be effective in the short term, these deviations in the long term are associated with impairments in quality of life, functional independence, urinary and sexual function, social and emotional health, as well as body and psychosocial image. The scientific literature has shown to be limited regarding comparative studies on the post-cystectomy prognosis, there is a lack of high-quality studies that assess the effect of cystectomy on quality of life. This panorama highlights the need to develop validated research instruments and high-quality longitudinal studies. These data will serve to improve the life perspective of patients undergoing surgery.

Conclusions

Although the immediate curative benefit of radical cystectomy for bladder cancer is evident, there is still no consensus in the literature on the appropriate management, functional prognosis and impact on the long-term patients quality of life undergoing the procedure.