Introduction and objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate genital sparing radical cystectomy surgery in female patients from the point of view of both oncologic and functional outcomes (with emphasis on urinary and sexual outcomes) in a single high-volume center for the treatment of muscular invasive bladder cancer.
Materials and methods: Between January 2014 and January 2018, 14 female patients underwent radical cystectomy with preservation of genital organs (the entire vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries) and orthotopic urinary neobladder (Padua neobladder). Inclusion criteria were recurrent T1G3 tumors; refractory tumors after BCG therapy without associated carcinoma in situ (CIS); T2 or T3a tumors entirely resected at endoscopic transurethral resection of the bladder and not involving urethra/bladder trigone. Exclusion criteria were: T3b or higher bladder cancer, associated CIS and involvement of urethra or bladder trigone. Oncological and histopathological outcomes (Overall Survival - OS, Recurrence Free Survival - RFS), urinary outcomes (day and night incontinence, intermittent catheterization use, Sandvik Score) and sexual outcomes (Female Sexual Function Index 19 FSFI-19) were considered. The average follow-up time was 56 months.
Results: Considering oncological outcomes, histologic examination reported urothelial carcinoma in 13/14 patients; 8/13 patients (61.5%) had high grade T1 stage, 3/13 patients (23%) had high grade T2 stage and finally 2/13 patients (15.5%) had high-grade T3 stage. One patient presented with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma completely excised after surgery (PT2aN0M0). No patient developed local or metastatic recurrence (RFS 100%); OS was 100%. Considering urinary continence outcomes, 12/14 patients retained daytime and nighttime continence (85.5%); 2/14 (14.5%) complained of low stress urinary incontinence daily and nighttime urinary leakage. The Sandvik Score showed complete continence in 7/14 patients (50%); mild degree incontinence in 6/14 patients without use of incontinence devices (43%); moderate degree of incontinence in one patient (7%). The FSFI administered at 1 year from the surgery showed sexual desire in all patients (100%); subjective arousal, achievement of orgasm and sexual satisfaction in 12/14 patients (85.5%); sufficient lubrication in 11/14 patients (78.5%). Only one patient (7%) complained about dyspareunia during sexual intercourse.
Conclusions: Our study aims to demonstrate that genital-sparing radical cystectomy is a safe surgery in terms of oncologic outcomes and, most importantly, that it is beneficial in terms of urinary and sexual function. Indeed, patients' quality of life together with their psychological and emotional health should be put on the same level as oncological safety. However, it is a treatment reserved for selected patients who are strongly motivated to preserve fertility and sexual function and thoroughly informed about the benefits and complications of such a procedure.