RADICAL CYSTECTOMY FOR LOCALLY ADVANCED CARCINOMA OF THE BLADDER IN KANO, NIGERIA

Objective: Bladder cancer is the second most common genito-urinary malignancy worldwide. The objective of this study was to assess the benefit of radical cystectomy on locally advanced bladder carcinoma in terms of improved quality of life and survival in our environment. Patients and Methods: The records of 58 patients with bladder carcinoma managed at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital over a 5-year period (May 2000 to April 2005) were reviewed and analysed. Excluded were 28 patients with distant metastatic disease discovered during clinical investigation. Results: Thirty patients (25 males and 5 females) with a mean age of 50.5 years and variable symptoms underwent radical cystectomy for locally advanced carcinoma of the bladder. Urinary drainage was achieved by orthotopic ileal neobladder in 15 patients (50%), continent cutaneous reservoir in 11 patients (36.7%) and non continent drainage in 4 patients (13.3%). A 40% survival was achieved at 6-60 months. Conclusion: Radical cystectomy is a worthwhile procedure in locally advanced carcinoma of the bladder and cure may be achieved in selected patients.