Recovering from Cystectomy: Patient Perspectives

"I was in a very deep, dark place... I wasn't prepared for that": A qualitative assessment of the emotional well-being needs of patients undergoing cystectomy

INTRODUCTION

Studies have shown that cystectomy has a large psychological burden on patients with bladder cancer. However, there has been little work characterizing areas of improvement. This project aimed to understand cystectomy patients' experiences and to identify patient-centered methods to improve perioperative support.

METHODS

Five focus groups, divided by diversion type and gender, (4 virtual, 1 in person) of patients with bladder cancer (n = 17) who underwent cystectomy were conducted. Conversations were transcribed and qualitatively analyzed using the Sort and Sift, Think and Shift© method. Transcripts were coded in NVivo and themes were summarized in higher-level analysis.

RESULTS

Patients described feelings of depression, anger, and anxiety in response to their cancer diagnosis, need for cystectomy, and living with urinary diversion. Patients experienced daily mental hardship while adapting. They experienced distress from diversion visibility in public and private encounters. Many expressed a dichotomy of feeling grateful for the treatment while also feeling bitter about the impact on their daily life. Patients reported that while their care team provided support for tangible needs, they did not provide information for nor discuss mental and sexual health needs during this time. Patients reported that if their provider had initiated discussions and offered referrals, they would have accepted support. Patients also emphasized the benefit of social and peer support networks for emotional support.

CONCLUSIONS

Groups identified the psychological difficulties of bladder cancer diagnosis and cystectomy. Potential avenues for improvement included incorporating support resources into the care plan and perioperative discussion regarding the emotional impact of surgery.

Therapeutic Advances in Bladder Preservation for BCG-Unresponsive Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

PURPOSE

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has long been the standard treatment for preventing recurrence and progression following resection of high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Unfortunately, recurrence or progression despite BCG induction and maintenance treatment have significant prevalence-a persistent issue in urologic oncology. Notable advancements in the development of alternative therapeutic options have become available and are in the pipeline. This review aims to provide an overview of the current treatment landscape for patients with BCG-unresponsive NMIBC, highlighting both existing and emerging therapies that are expected to become more widely available.

METHODS

A narrative review based on data collected through the end of 2024.

RESULTS

Several treatment options, aside from radical cystectomy (RC), are currently available or in promising stages of clinical trials. Many of these treatment modalities were granted Fast Track and Breakthrough Therapy status due to their initial success. These include novel chemotherapy regimens, immune checkpoint inhibitors, device-assisted therapies, and new intravesical and systemic agents. Combination therapies combining traditional treatments and newer approaches were explored.

CONCLUSIONS

The next few years promise to offer patients a variety of new, effective therapies for BCG-unresponsive NMIBC. These advancements hold significant potential for improving patient outcomes and providing more targeted, organ-sparing treatment options.

Inhibition of Bruton's tyrosine kinase with PD-1 blockade modulates T cell activation in solid tumors

BACKGROUNDInhibition of Bruton's tyrosine kinase with ibrutinib blocks the function of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). The combination of ibrutinib and nivolumab was tested in patients with metastatic solid tumors.METHODSSixteen patients received ibrutinib 420 mg p.o. daily with nivolumab 240 mg i.v. on days 1 and 15 of a 28-day cycle. The effect of ibrutinib and nivolumab on MDSC, the immune profile, and cytokine levels were measured. Single-cell RNA-Seq and T cell receptor sequencing of immune cells was performed.RESULTSCommon adverse events were fatigue and anorexia. Four patients had partial responses and 4 had stable disease at 3 months (average 6.5 months, range 3.5-14.6). Median overall survival (OS) was 10.8 months. Seven days of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibition significantly increased the proportion of monocytic-MDSC (M-MDSC) and significantly decreased chemokines associated with MDSC recruitment and accumulation (CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL13). Single-cell RNA-Seq revealed ibrutinib-induced downregulation of genes associated with MDSC-suppressive function (TIMP1, CXCL8, VEGFA, HIF1A), reduced MDSC interactions with exhausted CD8+ T cells, and decreased TCR repertoire diversity. The addition of nivolumab significantly increased circulating NK and CD8+ T cells and increased CD8+ T cell proliferation. Exploratory analyses suggest that MDSC and T cell gene expression and TCR repertoire diversity were differentially affected by BTK inhibition according to patient response.CONCLUSIONIbrutinib and nivolumab were well tolerated and affected MDSC and T cell function in patients with solid metastatic tumors.TRIAL REGISTRATIONClinicalTrials.gov NCT03525925.FUNDINGNIH; National Cancer Institute Cancer; National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences; Pelotonia.

Patients´ experiences of an exercise intervention in primary care following robot-assisted radical cystectomy due to bladder cancer: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Physical activity is thought to be a key component in reducing postoperative complications following major abdominal surgery. The available literature on exercise interventions following radical cystectomy in patients with bladder cancer is scarce but suggests that physical activity and exercise might improve physical function and health-related quality of life, thus calling for further investigation. The CanMoRe-trial is a single-blinded randomised controlled trial (Clinicals Trials NCT03998579 25/06/2019), aimed at evaluating the impact of an exercise intervention in primary care following robot-assisted radical cystectomy. This study seeks to explore patients' experiences of the exercise intervention in the CanMoRe-trial to gain a better understanding of facilitating aspects and potential barriers.

METHODS

A qualitative study was conducted involving 20 patients from the intervention group of the CanMoRe-trial who were interviewed individually between October 2020 and March 2023 using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

Four main themes were identified: Having to adapt to new circumstances, describing the challenges regarding physical activity patients face after discharge. Optimising conditions for rehabilitation, describing how practical conditions affect patients' ability to exercise. Motivated to get back to normal, describing patients´ desire to get back to normal life and factors influencing motivation. Importance of a supportive environment, describing the impact of social support, support from physiotherapists, and how the environment where exercise takes place impacts patients' ability to exercise.

CONCLUSION

This study found that patients participating in the CanMoRe-trial are positive towards physical exercise in PC following radical RARC. They are motivated to get back to normal life but face major challenges when arriving home following surgery, which affect their ability to perform physical activity and engage in exercise. Conditions need to be optimised to support patients' ability to engage in exercise by providing an accessible PC location to perform exercise in. A supportive environment is also needed, including guidance from healthcare professionals regarding which type of exercise, intensity and amount of exercise that should be performed, enabling patients gradually to develop self-efficacy regarding exercise and focusing on goals related to patients' normal lives before surgery.

Erdafitinib in BCG-treated high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Treatment options are limited for patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with disease recurrence after bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) treatment and who are ineligible for/refuse radical cystectomy. FGFR alterations are commonly detected in NMIBC. We evaluated the activity of oral erdafitinib, a selective pan-fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, versus intravesical chemotherapy in patients with high-risk NMIBC and select FGFR3/2 alterations following recurrence after BCG treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients aged ≥18 years with recurrent, BCG-treated, papillary-only high-risk NMIBC (high-grade Ta/T1) and select FGFR alterations refusing or ineligible for radical cystectomy were randomized to 6 mg daily oral erdafitinib or investigator's choice of intravesical chemotherapy (mitomycin C or gemcitabine). The primary endpoint was recurrence-free survival (RFS). The key secondary endpoint was safety.

RESULTS

Study enrollment was discontinued due to slow accrual. Seventy-three patients were randomized 2 : 1 to erdafitinib (n = 49) and chemotherapy (n = 24). Median follow-up for RFS was 13.4 months for both groups. Median RFS was not reached for erdafitinib [95% confidence interval (CI) 16.9 months-not estimable] and was 11.6 months (95% CI 6.4-20.1 months) for chemotherapy, with an estimated hazard ratio of 0.28 (95% CI 0.1-0.6; nominal P value = 0.0008). In this population, safety results were generally consistent with known profiles for erdafitinib and chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Erdafitinib prolonged RFS compared with intravesical chemotherapy in patients with papillary-only, high-risk NMIBC harboring FGFR alterations who had disease recurrence after BCG therapy and refused or were ineligible for radical cystectomy.

Health-related quality of life prior to and 1 year after radical cystectomy evaluated with FACT-G and FACT-VCI questionnaires

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) before and 1 year after radical cystectomy in relation to age and gender.

METHODS

This prospective study involves 112 men and 40 women with bladder cancer treated with radical cystectomy between 2015 and 2018. HRQoL was assessed preoperatively and 1 year post-surgery through Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale - General (FACT-G) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale - Vanderbilt Cystectomy Index (FACT-VCI) questionnaires. The median age of the 152 patients was 71.5 years.

RESULTS

Preoperatively, emotional and functional well-being were negatively affected. Physical, emotional and functional well-being presented higher values 1 year after surgery compared to before radical cystectomy, that is, better HRQoL. Social well-being showed a reduction, especially regarding closeness to partner and support from family. Men and women were equally satisfied with their sex life before radical cystectomy, but less so 1 year after, where men were less satisfied compared to women. Additionally, one out of five patients reported that they had to limit their physical activities, were afraid of being far from a toilet and were dissatisfied with their body appearance after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Recovery regarding HRQoL was ongoing 1 year after radical cystectomy. Patients recovered in three out of four dimensions of HRQoL, but social well-being was still negatively affected 1 year after treatment. Sexual function after radical cystectomy was exceedingly limited for both men and women. An individual sexual rehabilitation plan involving the couple with special intention to encourage intimacy, might not only improve sexual life but also have a positive effect on social well-being as a consequence.

Ileal Conduit versus Continent Urinary Diversion in Radical Cystectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 30-day Complications, Readmissions, and Mortality

OBJECTIVES

To quantify the short-term burden associated with continent diversion relative to ileal conduit creation.

METHODS

Bladder cancer patients who underwent radical cystectomy in 2019 and 2020 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Improvement Program database using current procedural terminology codes and pathology reports. Patients were grouped by urinary diversion performed: ileal conduit versus continent diversion (neobladder or cutaneous reservoir). Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the association between type of urinary diversion and 30-day outcomes, including postoperative complications, all-cause readmissions, and mortality, adjusting for baseline differences.

RESULTS

Of 4,755 patients who underwent radical cystectomy, 677 underwent continent diversion (14.2%). These patients were significantly younger (median 62 vs. 71 years, p< 0.01) and less likely to have diabetes (13.6% vs. 20.1%, p<0.01), COPD (3.7% vs. 7.1%, p<0.01), and prior pelvic radiation (5.5% vs. 13.1%, p<0.01). A greater proportion of continent diversion patients experienced a postoperative complication (56.0% vs. 48.9%, p<0.01) and all-cause readmission (30.3% vs. 20.4%, p<0.0). After adjustment, continent diversion patients had 1.4 (95% CI: 1.1 - 1.7) and 1.7 (95% CI: 1.4 - 2.1) times the odds of experiencing a postoperative complication or all-cause readmission, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in mortality (OR 1.2, 95% CI: 0.5 - 2.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to ileal conduit creation, continent urinary diversion is associated with increased odds of postoperative complications and readmission to the hospital within 30 days of surgery. Bladder cancer patients undergoing cystectomy and seeking continent diversion should be counseled on the increased short-term morbidity associated with this specific type of diversion.

Experiences and Perceptions in Dyads about Ostomy Care. Meta-synthesis of Qualitative Studies

OBJECTIVES

To understand the experiences and perceptions of care dyads (person and caregiver) when having a permanent discharge ostomy.

METHODS

Meta-synthesis that followed the ENTREQ standards and was registered in PROSPERO CRD42020221755; It was developed in three phases: (i). Search for studies in academic search engines, with MeSH terms: [(Patients) AND (Ostomy)) AND (Caregivers)], including qualitative primary studies published between 2000 and 2020; (ii). Assessment of the methodological quality with the CORE-Q instrument and the credibility of qualitative findings under the guidelines of the Johanna Briggs Institute; and (iii). Comparative analysis according to the guidelines by Sandelowski and Barroso.

RESULTS

The work identified 664 studies; in screening, 35 passed to full-text analysis; 22 to methodological quality evaluation; and 10 to meta-synthesis. The study found 43 qualitative findings that constituted four categories: dyads perform instrumental and emotional care; ambivalent family caregiving feelings and actions; assertive and effective family care; and rejection of bodily changes and sexual dysfunction. These categories constitute the central meta-theme: "The dyads experience a life rupture, which is restored in a sea of ambivalent emotions and learning; at the same time, affective, instrumental and assertive care is constructed".

CONCLUSIONS

People who experience having a permanent discharge ostomy express their rejection to the change in bodily image, alterations in sexual life and as a couple. Caregivers and families are the main source of support by being facilitators in self-care, through relationships of mutuality and reciprocity.

Comparison of Robot-Assisted and Open Radical Cystectomy in Recovery of Patient-Reported and Performance-Related Measures of Independence: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

No data exist on time to recovery of patient-reported and performance-related measures of functional independence after radical cystectomy (open or robotic).

OBJECTIVE

To determine recovery of functional independence after radical cystectomy and whether robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) is associated with any advantage over open procedures.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Data for this secondary analysis from the RAZOR (Randomized Open vs Robotic Cystectomy) trial were used. RAZOR was a phase 3 multicenter noninferiority trial across 15 academic medical centers in the US from July 1, 2011, to November 18, 2014, with a median follow-up of 2 years. Participants included the per-protocol population (n = 302). Data were analyzed from February 1, 2017, to May 1, 2021.

INTERVENTIONS

Robot-assisted radical cystectomy or open radical cystectomy (ORC).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Patient-reported (activities of daily living [ADL] and independent ADL [iADL]) and performance-related (hand grip strength [HGS] and Timed Up & Go walking test [TUGWT]) measures of independence were assessed. Patterns of postoperative recovery for the entire cohort and comparisons between RARC and ORC were performed. Exploratory analyses to assess measures of independence across diversion type and to determine whether baseline impairments were associated with 90-day complications or 1-year mortality were performed.

FINDINGS

Of the 302 patients included in the analysis (254 men [84.1%]; mean [SD] age at consent, 68.0 [9.7] years), 150 underwent RARC and 152 underwent ORC. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. For the entire cohort, ADL, iADL, and TUGWT recovered to baseline by 3 postoperative months, whereas HGS recovered by 6 months. There was no difference between RARC and ORC for ADL, iADL, TUGWT, or HGS scores at any time. Activities of daily living recovered 1 month after RARC (mean estimated score, 7.7 [95% CI, 7.3-8.0]) vs 3 months after ORC (mean estimated score, 7.5 [95% CI, 7.2-7.8]). Hand grip strength recovered by 3 months after RARC (mean estimated HGS, 29.0 [95% CI, 26.3-31.7] kg) vs 6 months after ORC (mean estimated HGS, 31.2 [95% CI, 28.8-34.2] kg). In the RARC group, 32 of 90 patients (35.6%) showed a recovery in HGS at 3 months vs 32 of 88 (36.4%) in the ORC group (P = .91), indicating a rejection of the primary study hypothesis for HGS. Independent ADL and TUGWT recovered in 3 months for both approaches. Hand grip strength showed earlier recovery in patients undergoing continent urinary diversion (mean HGS at 3 months, 31.3 [95% CI, 27.7-34.8] vs 33.9 [95% CI, 30.5-37.3] at baseline; P = .09) than noncontinent urinary diversion (mean HGS at 6 months, 27.4 [95% CI, 24.9-30.0] vs 29.5 [95% CI, 27.2-31.9] kg at baseline; P = .02), with no differences in other parameters. Baseline impairments in any parameter were not associated with 90-day complications or 1-year mortality.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The results of this secondary analysis suggest that patients require 3 to 6 months to recover baseline levels after radical cystectomy irrespective of surgical approach. These data will be invaluable in patient counseling and preparation. Hand grip strength and ADL tended to recover to baseline earlier after RARC; however, there was no difference in the percentage of patients recovering when compared with ORC. Further study is needed to assess the clinical significance of these findings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01157676.

Patient-reported outcomes and health-related quality of life after urinary diversions

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To study the recent literature on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients after radical cystectomy followed by urinary diversion.

RECENT FINDINGS

General consensus regarding, which urinary diversion is superior in terms of HRQOL has not been reached. Although there is an increase in studies favoring the orthotopic neobladder, overall quality of these studies is poor. Other studies suggest that HRQOL outcomes in different types of urinary diversions is similar and that other factors, such as age, comorbidities and sex are more important instead. Patient choice, in consultation with the treating surgeon should be the determinant of which urinary diversion is performed. Furthermore, sexual function can play an important role in HRQOL. However, practice shows that counselling on the option of sexual-preserving techniques is still not implemented in routine clinical practice. Furthermore, studies regarding differences in HRQOL after urinary diversion between male and female individuals are lacking.

SUMMARY

Thorough preoperative counselling on the different types of urinary diversion and options for sexual-preserving techniques decreases decision regret and increases HRQOL in patients after radical cystectomy.

A journey to a new stable state-further development of the postoperative recovery concept from day surgical perspective: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to further develop the concept analysis by Allvin et al in 2007 and Lundmark et al in 2016 from the perspective of day-surgery patients. Also, to describe how patients experience postoperative recovery in relation to the identified dimensions and subdimensions and to interpret the findings in order to get a deeper understanding of the concept postoperative recovery.

DESIGN

Descriptive qualitative design with a theoretical thematic analysis.

SETTING

Six day-surgery departments in Sweden.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-eight adult participants who had undergone day surgery in Sweden. Participants were purposively selected.

RESULTS

Four dimensions-physical, psychological, social and habitual-were confirmed. A total of eight subdimensions were also confirmed, two from Allvin et al's study and six from Lundmark et al's study. Recovery included physical symptoms and challenges coping with and regaining control over symptoms and bodily functions. Both positive and negative emotions were present, and strategies on how to handle emotions and achieve well-being were established. Patients became dependent on others. They coped with and adapted to the recovery process and gradually stabilised, reaching a new stable state.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative recovery was described as a process with a clear starting point, and as a dynamic and individual process leading to an experience of a new stable state. The recovery process included physical symptoms, emotions and social and habitual consequences that challenges them. To follow-up and measure all four dimensions of postoperative recovery in order to support and understand the process of postoperative recovery is, therefore, recommended.

The effect of multiple recruitment contacts on response rates and patterns of missing data in a survey of bladder cancer survivors 6 months after cystectomy

PURPOSE

The Bladder Cancer Quality of Life Study collected detailed and sensitive patient-reported outcomes from bladder cancer survivors in the period after bladder removal surgery, when participation in survey research may present a burden. This paper describes the study recruitment methods and examines the response rates and patterns of missing data.

METHODS

Detailed surveys focusing on quality of life, healthcare decision-making, and healthcare expenses were mailed to patients 5-7 months after cystectomy. We conducted up to 10 follow-up recruitment calls. We analyzed survey completion rates following each contact in relation to demographic and clinical characteristics, and patterns of missing data across survey content areas.

RESULTS

The overall response rate was 71% (n = 269/379). This was consistent across patient clinical characteristics; response rates were significantly higher among patients over age 70 and significantly lower among racial and ethnic minority patients compared to non-Hispanic white patients. Each follow-up contact resulted in marginal survey completion rates of at least 10%. Rates of missing data were low across most content areas, even for potentially sensitive questions. Rates of missing data differed significantly by sex, age, and race/ethnicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the effort required to participate in research, this population of cancer survivors showed willingness to share detailed information about quality of life, health care decision-making, and expenses, soon after major cancer surgery. Additional contacts were effective at increasing participation. Response patterns differed by race/ethnicity and other demographic factors. Our data collection methods show that it is feasible to gather detailed patient-reported outcomes during this challenging period.

Development of a Goal Elicitation Measure to Support Choice about Urinary Diversion by Patients with Bladder Cancer

PURPOSE

Patient centered care aims to align treatment with patient goals, especially when treatment options have equivalent clinical outcomes. For surgeries with lasting impacts that alignment is critical. To our knowledge no psychometrically tested preference elicitation measures exist to support patients with bladder cancer treated with cystectomy, who can often choose between ileal conduit and neobladder diversions. In this study we created a scale to measure how patient goals align with each type of urinary diversion and the associated surgical outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed formative research through focus groups and clinician outreach to adapt a goal dissonance measure. We mailed a survey to adult Kaiser Permanente® members who underwent cystectomy for bladder cancer between January 2013 and June 2015. Eligible patients were identified through electronic health records and chart review. Surveys were mailed 5 to 7 months postoperatively. We administered our 10-item decision dissonance scale along with other decision making measures. We explored goal alignment as well as dissonance. Psychometric analysis included factor analysis, evaluation of scale scores between surgery groups and evaluation with other decision making scores.

RESULTS

We identified 10 goals associated with ileal conduit or neobladder diversion. Using survey data on 215 patients our scale differentiated patient goals associated with each diversion choice. On average patients with a neobladder strongly valued neobladder aligned goals such as maintaining body integrity and volitional voiding through the urethra. Patients with an ileal conduit had neutral values on average across all goals.

CONCLUSIONS

Our measure lays the foundation for a simple value elicitation approach which could facilitate shared decision making about urinary diversion choice.