Types of Bladder Surgery

The size, location, degree of invasion, and aggression of your cancer will guide the recommended approach to surgery.

If the biopsy results reveal non-invasive cancer, only the tumor with a margin of health tissue is removed.

If cancer has progressed beyond the lining of the bladder or is thought to be aggressive, your doctor may recommend removing your bladder during a procedure called radical cystectomy. In men, because of the location of the bladder near the prostate gland, this involves the removal of the prostate gland, as well. In women, this often means removing the uterus and ovaries along with the bladder. Lymph nodes are removed, as well, in both men and women.

Reconstruction of a bladder or a procedure called urinary diversion is commonly done at the same time of the cystectomy.

Patients usually are in the hospital for 2-4 days and recover at home for four to eight weeks.