Bladder Cancer Treatment Abroad At Affordable Costs
Bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the United States which contributes
to 12000 deaths annually and is recommended for most forms of bladder cancers clearly emphasizes the need for affordable radical cystectomy. Radical cystectomy abroad offers tremendous scope for cost savings. For management of bladder cancer, radial cystectomy in Mexico is the most preferred choice. Bladder cystectomy in India and radical cystectomy in South Korea, allow a cost saving of over 50%. Bladder cancer cystectomy in Turkey provides similar medical outcomes to those of surgery in the United States.
What is radial cystectomy with ileal conduit?
Radical cystectomy refers to a surgical procedure which is the most effective and efficient way of controlling invasive cancers affecting the urinary bladder. The procedure involves the complete removal of the urinary bladder and the surrounding lymph nodes and is coupled with the removal of prostate in male patients. An Ileal Conduit (IC) is a urinary diversion, which allows the excretion of urine, forming in the kidney. Radical Cystectomy with Ileal Conduit is one of the most commonly used surgical procedures for the management of carcinomas that involve the urinary bladder. The five year post operative survival rate and success ranges from 30% to 60%. This success rate is however determined by the extent of involvement of the surrounding lymph node and the overall condition of the patient. However
The surgical procedure for management of bladder cancer
Preliminary assessment of the patient is done to evaluate the expanse and spread of the tumor using imaging scans such as MRI or CT. The patient is counseled about the procedure and the need to remove other pelvic organs like ovaries in the female and prostate in the males. A low residue diet is recommended with a prescription of laxatives or enema just a day prior to the scheduled surgery
It is a complex surgery that may last between three to four hours. The bladder along with the surrounding lymph nodes is resected along with other pelvic organs if required.
A part of the ileum (i.e. the small intestine) is dissected and connected to the ureters to act as an alternative bladder. The other end of the ileal conduit is connected to the abdomen directly to allow flow of urine outside the body and collect in a urostomy bag. Post operative hospitalization may be required for five to seven days after the surgery.
Aftercare for radical cystectomy with ileal conduit:
Post operatively the patient is hospitalized for five to seven days. During the hospital stay, pain medications and antibiotics are given to reduce the pain and control any possible infection. Recurrent urinary tract infection is a high probability after the procedure, which needs to the controlled to avoid secondary complications.
Heamaturia and leakage of urine through the ileal conduit is common after the procedure, which may or may not require surgical correction.