Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy With Transurethral Resection for Bladder Preservation: 15-Year Follow-Up of the Retained Bladder.

Summary: Imagine having bladder cancer and being told you might not need your bladder removed. For a select group of patients, this is possible! Doctors looked at 101 patients who had chemotherapy and a small surgery to scrape away the tumor, instead of removing the whole bladder. After 15 years, the results were very promising. About 40% were still alive with their natural bladder, and another 40% passed away from old age or other causes, not the cancer. Only about 10% had to get their bladder removed later, and 10% died from the cancer. This shows that keeping your bladder is a safe and successful choice for the right patients, though they will need regular check-ups for the rest of their lives.