Bladder cancer may sometimes require surgery to remove the bladder, particularly when the disease is muscle-invasive or has other high-risk features. Radical cystectomy in Mumbai is a major urological procedure in which the urinary bladder is removed, usually along with nearby structures and lymph nodes, depending on the patient’s anatomy and cancer characteristics. The aim is to remove the cancer while planning a safe and practical way for urine to leave the body after surgery.
Dr. Vivek Venkat at Jewel Urology Center provides consultations for patients seeking specialised urological and uro-oncological care. Understanding the reasons for surgery, available surgical approaches, urinary reconstruction options, and recovery expectations can help patients and their families make informed decisions with their treating team.
Radical cystectomy is an operation most commonly used to treat muscle-invasive bladder cancer and selected high-risk cases that cannot be managed adequately with bladder-preserving treatment. The procedure involves removing the bladder and, where indicated, surrounding tissues and pelvic lymph nodes. The extent of surgery varies according to the patient’s sex, anatomy, cancer stage, and individual treatment plan.
In men, the operation may include removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles. In women, selected reproductive or nearby pelvic organs may be removed depending on the tumour’s location and extent. These decisions should be explained before surgery, including their potential effects on sexual function, fertility, and quality of life.
After the bladder is removed, the surgeon creates a urinary diversion so urine can drain from the kidneys. The most appropriate approach depends on cancer-related factors, kidney function, overall health, and the patient’s preferences.
A urologist or uro-oncologist may recommend radical cystectomy for:
Not every bladder cancer requires bladder removal. Depending on the diagnosis, options may include transurethral tumour removal, intravesical therapy, systemic treatment, or a bladder-preserving approach combining treatments. Decisions should be based on pathology, staging investigations, overall health, and discussion with a specialist multidisciplinary team.
**Radical cystectomy in Mumbai may be performed using an open or robotic-assisted surgical approach, depending on the patient’s condition, the surgeon’s expertise, available facilities, and the planned urinary diversion.**
Open radical cystectomy: The surgeon operates through an abdominal incision to remove the bladder and perform the required reconstruction. This approach remains an established option for suitable patients.
Robotic-assisted radical cystectomy: The surgeon uses robotic instruments controlled from a console to perform the operation through small incisions. The technology offers magnified visualisation and precise instrument movement. In appropriately selected patients, a minimally invasive approach may offer advantages such as smaller incisions and potentially less blood loss or a shorter hospital stay. However, outcomes vary, and robotic surgery is not automatically the best choice for every patient.
Both approaches are major operations. Cancer control, surgical safety, the surgeon’s experience, and the patient’s individual needs are more important than choosing a technique based on its name alone.