Content and significance of follow-up after bladder cancer surgery

Bladder cancer is mainly treated with surgery. The specific surgical method depends on the patient's general condition and the pathological condition of the cancer. However, no matter which treatment method is used, follow-up after treatment is crucial. The purpose of follow-up is to detect local recurrence and distant metastasis as early as possible. Once discovered, remedial treatment should be started as soon as possible.

The follow-up plan after bladder cancer treatment should be determined by the evaluation of the treatment effect and the treatment method adopted (such as TUR-BT, cystectomy, urinary diversion, etc.). Long-term follow-up is required after radical cystectomy and urinary diversion, and the focus of follow-up includes tumor recurrence and complications related to urinary diversion. Post-treatment follow-up includes cystoscopy, B-ultrasound, urine cytology, etc. Cystoscopy is the gold standard. Urologists should help patients overcome their fear and accept cystoscopy as much as possible, because this is the most intuitive and clear method of examining tumors. At the same time, if abnormalities are found, pathological biopsy should be performed.

The first follow-up is usually 3 months after surgery. Cystoscopy is mandatory, and subsequent follow-up should be determined based on the risk of tumor recurrence and progression. In addition, once a bladder cancer patient relapses, the post-treatment follow-up plan must be restarted.