Overview
Cystectomy is surgical removal of all or part of the urinary bladder. Total Cystectomy, also known as Radical Cystectomy is surgical is the removal of the entire bladder, nearby lymph nodes, part of the urethra, and nearby organs that may have been invaded by the cancer cells. In men, the nearby organs that are removed are the prostate, the seminal vesicles, and part of the vas deferens.
In women, the cervix, the uterus, the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, and part of the vagina are also removed. The ureters are disconnected from the bladder and urinary diversion is created. Partial Cystectomy or Segmental Cystectomy is removal of part or segment of the bladder and is usually performed for the resection of stage I and II bladder cancer.
If you have bladder cancer that has invaded the muscle layer or if your cancer has come back after the initial treatment, then you are an ideal candidate for Total Cystectomy and this surgery can benefit you a lot. But it is very important to get it done from an expert surgeon so that the surgery could be performed safely and with careful surgical planning.
Total Cystectomy is performed under general anesthesia and may take about 2 - 3 hours. An incision is made across the lower abdomen; the ureters are cut from the bladder, freeing it for removal. The bladder and associated organs i.e. prostate gland, seminal vesicles, vas deferens in men and the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and part of the vagina in women.
A method of urinary diversion is created to remove the urine after Total Cystectomy. The tissues and nerves around the prostate and bladder are dissected very carefully to ensure not to damage them during Total Cystectomy procedure. However, the nerves controlling erection of penis may be damaged during the surgery.
In women, your surgeon will reconstruct your vagina after Total Cystectomy.
Diagnosis And Staging
Medical tourism in India provides coordinated assistance to international patients for their low cost surgical treatment in India. Also, Total Cystectomy surgeons in India are experts of surgery field and are successfully treating international patients for past recent years. The 5 year survival rate for people who have bladder cancer is 75%.
Adjuvant therapy may be needed following a Total Cystectomy which may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy or biological therapy. Total Cystectomy entails surgery to the bladder as well as the bowel. Patients generally become able to get back to their normal activities in 2 months time following Total Cystectomy.
You will probably be hospitalized for 8 - 10 days after Total Cystectomy procedure. Before going home you will be provided with a follow up regimen that will comprise of Cystoscopy and urinary exams every 3 months for at least 2 years, with regular CT scans of the pelvis and abdomen.
By properly following all pre and post surgery instructions as suggested by surgeon, you can recover very fast out of your surgery.
What Patients Should Confirm
Patients should confirm the diagnosis, stage, biopsy summary, imaging reports, and whether the plan includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, or a combination.
Before requesting a medical opinion, keep recent reports, imaging files, discharge summaries, prescriptions, and a short symptom timeline ready. This helps the specialist review the case without unnecessary back-and-forth.
Travel And Follow-Up Planning
International patients should ask about visa documents, attendant needs, estimated hospital stay, nearby accommodation, fitness-to-fly advice, and how follow-up will continue after returning home.
Forerunners Healthcare can coordinate hospital options, doctor review, appointment planning, travel support, and cost estimates while keeping the final medical decision with the treating specialist.
Care Planning Checklist
Before confirming treatment, patients should share recent reports, imaging, prescriptions, allergy details, previous discharge summaries, and a short timeline of symptoms or diagnosis. This helps the hospital team give a clearer medical opinion and a more realistic cost estimate.
Patients should also confirm the expected hospital stay, attendant needs, visa documents, airport transfers, accommodation near the hospital, payment inclusions, and what may change if extra tests or a longer stay are required.
Follow-up planning should be discussed before travel. Ask what warning signs need urgent attention, when flying is usually reviewed, how medicines or dressings will be managed, and how the treating team will coordinate after the patient returns home.
