Vaginal Complications after Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review

Anterior enterocele after cystectomy: case report and review of the literature

PURPOSE

Anterior enterocele is a rare but potentially serious complication after cystectomy with heterogeneous treatment options.

METHODS

Here we report on the management of a 71-year-old patient with recurrence of anterior enterocele after cystectomy and provide a systematic review of the literature using the PubMed/MEDLINE database.

RESULTS

The 71-year-old patient with recurrence of anterior enterocele after cystectomy was successfully treated with colpocleisis and anterior colporrhaphy at the Department of Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology, University Hospital Bonn. The use of a synthetic mesh was not needed. At 16-month follow-up postoperatively, the patient was asymptomatic and had no signs of recurrence. n = 14 publications including n = 39 patients were identified for the systematic review including case reports and reviews. The median duration of developing an anterior enterocele after cystectomy was 9 months (range 3 months to 8 years). Patients had a median age of 71 years (range 44-84). In all cases, a surgical approach was described using a wide variety of surgical procedures. In total, 36% of all patients developed a recurrence with an average time period of 7 months after primary surgery. A rare complication represents a vaginal evisceration with the need of urgent surgery. Furthermore, the occurrence of a fistula is a possible long-term complication.

CONCLUSION

Anterior enterocele after cystectomy is a rare complication requiring an individual and interdisciplinary treatment.

Gynaecological organ involvement in females undergoing radical cystectomy: a multicentre study

OBJECTIVE

To report the incidence of malignancy in gynaecological organs removed during radical cystectomy (RC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective multicentre study of 1600 RCs at three high-volume institutions between January 2009 and March 2022 was performed. Pathological findings in gynaecological organs in female RC specimens were reviewed. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of malignant gynaecological organ involvement (GOI) at time of RC.

RESULTS

Overall, 302 females with a median (interquartile range) age of 68 (61-75) years underwent RC for clinical (c)Ta-T4 bladder cancer. In all, 56 patients (18.5%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Malignant GOI was seen in 20 patients (6.6%); the most common single sites of GOI were the uterus (five patients) and vaginal wall (four), followed by cervix (one), and ovaries (one). Nine patients had involvement of more than one gynaecological organ. No females had a primary gynaecological malignancy detected incidentally at RC. Patients with GOI were more likely to have cT3/T4 stage (P < 0.001), preoperative hydronephrosis (P = 0.004), lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.002), and squamous cell carcinoma (P = 0.005) than those without GOI. On multivariable analysis, cT4 stage was an independent predictor of malignant GOI (odds ratio 88.3, 95% confidence interval 10.1-1214; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, we present the largest multi-institutional study examining malignant GOI in females with bladder cancer undergoing RC. The rate of GOI at the time of RC is low and associated with higher clinical stage. In the absence of clinical or radiological evidence of sexual organ involvement, our results do not support their routine removal at the time of RC.

Evaluation of sexual function and vaginal prolapse after radical cystectomy in women: a study to explore an under-evaluated problem

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The objective was to evaluate sexual function, vaginal prolapse, and quality of life (QoL) in women after radical cystectomy (RC) using validated questionnaires and pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) measurement.

METHODS

Female bladder cancer patients who underwent RC at our tertiary care center were included (January 2008 to March 2022). Patients received three validated questionnaires (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Vaginal Symptoms [ICIQ-VS] Part A, Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire IUGA revised [PISQ], European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire [EORTC] C30/BLM30). Patients who consented were examined with vaginal POP-Q measurement.

RESULTS

Out of 322 patients, 193 were still alive, 54 patients were lost to follow-up, and 43 were excluded, resulting in 96 patients who received the questionnaire. Finally, 35 patients were included, of whom 17 patients consented to vaginal examination. Complaints due to vaginal symptoms were low (ICIQ-VS 6.17 + 5.37). Sexual activity was reported by 12 patients (34.3%); 23 patients (65.71%) were not sexually active. No apical prolapse was found in POP-Q measurement; 6 patients (35.3%) had anterior, and 14 patients (82.4%) posterior prolapse; the highest prolapse stage was 2. No significant differences were found regarding POP stages, sexual function, and QoL (all p > 0.05) when comparing continent and incontinent urinary diversions. Comparing the vaginal approach (no sparing vs sparing), significant differences were found in only two PISQ subscales (significantly higher scores after vagina sparing, p = 0.01 and p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

The type of urinary diversion, POP-Q stages, and tumor stages did not show significant differences regarding sexual function, QoL, and prolapse complaints in women after RC, whereas a vagina- sparing approach showed significant differences only in two subscales without clinical relevance.

Radical cystectomy and women's sexual health - can we do better?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Female sexual function after radical cystectomy is a crucial, but historically overlooked component of bladder cancer survivorship. This review focuses on recent studies, which have investigated pelvic health and sexual function after radical cystectomy. We discuss modifiable factors, which may contribute to decreased sexual function after radical cystectomy and techniques, which may lead to improved outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Sexual function is important to women and there is a significant desire (and unmet need) for more perioperative counseling and discussion regarding sexual function changes and quality of life impacts. Sexual function may be altered due to a combination of hormonal changes from ovarian removal, anatomic changes from vaginal alteration, and sensation changes due to damage to the neurovascular bundle. Techniques to preserve these structures have been developed.

SUMMARY

Sexual function is an important component of survivorship and increasing attention is being focused on this area. Long term studies with objective measures are needed for to compare various techniques and ensure oncologic safety. Ovarian preservation, anterior vaginal wall preservation, and vaginal estrogen replacement should be carefully considered for most patients.