LOCAL RECURRENCE AND SURVIVAL FOLLOWING NERVE SPARING RADICAL CYSTOPROSTATECTOMY FOR BLADDER-CANCER - 10-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

Purpose: The efficacy of nerve sparing radical cystoprostatectomy for the treatment of bladder cancer has been evaluated. We reviewed our 10 -year experience with this technique to ascertain survival and local r ecurrence rates. Materials and Methods: The charts of 101 patients tre ated with nerve sparing cystoprostatectomy between March 1982 and Nove mber 1989 were reviewed and updated. Results: The disease-specific 10- year survival rate for all stages of bladder cancer treated was 69% an d the 10-year survival rate free of local recurrence was 94%. Recovery of sexual function following nerve sparing cystectomy correlated with patient age: 62% in men 40 to 49 years old, 47% in men 50 to 59 years old, 43% in men 60 to 69 years old and 20% in men 70 to 79 years old. Conclusions: Nerve sparing radical cystoprostatectomy does not compro mise cancer control and provides improved postoperative quality of lif e.