ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To analyze the complications and quality of life after cystectomies performed in women with bladder cancer at our hospital. METHODS: Descriptive analysis of demographic data and early/late complications of cystectomies and urinary diversions performed in women at our hospital between 1990-2010. We also assessed quality of life using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bladder Cancer (ACT-BL) questionnaire and a comparison was drawn between groups of clinical variables. RESULTS: Out of 265 cystectomies, 25 (10%) were performed in women. The predominant urinary diversion was ureterosigmoidostomy (60%), followed by cutaneous ureterostomy (16%), orthotopic ileal neo-bladder Studer pouch (12%), ileal conduit (10%) and permanent nephrostomy (4%). Mean age was 55.75 years. The most commonly occurring early complications were prolonged ileus (20%) and urinary fistula (20%). Late complications included hydronephrosis (32%) and pyelonephritis (32%). The results of quality of life questionnaires were very similar for the different types of urinary diversions, with a mean score of 104.5 out of 156 points. CONCLUSIONS: Radical cystectomy is a high-risk procedure associated with many complications. In women, ureterosigmoidostomy may be a good choice for urinary diversion in selected patients, with a quality of life very similar to those with different urinary diversions.