Types Of Bladder Cancer Treatments

Urinary Diversion

After total bladder removal surgery, patients with bladder cancer must undergo urinary diversion. This is a procedure where a new path for urine to leave the body is created. There are several methods of doing this. One is where the surgeon creates a neobladder using a piece of the patient’s intestine. This is the most common method used when it is possible, because it allows the patient to urinate normally, since the neobladder is placed into their body and is attached to their urethra.

Another option is using the patient’s intestine to make a tube known as an ileal conduit. This tube attaches to the kidneys and ureters and lets urine flow from there to a urostomy bag on the outside of the patient’s body. This bag must be emptied several times a day. The last method is a urinary reservoir, which makes a pouch out of the intestine. This pouch stays in the body and holds urine. However, it is attached to an opening to the abdomen. This is where a catheter must be used to empty it multiple times a day.