Commentary (Malkowicz): Organ Preservation in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

The most effective form of therapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer is radical surgery and urinary diversion. Numerous clinical series demonstrate stage-for-stage 5- and 10-year survival data that are better than that seen for other treatment modalities.[1] The widespread application of continent urinary diversion over the past 2 decades has furthered the acceptance of radical surgery, as it provides for the lost function of volitional storage and emptying of urine. Even patients who undergo a standard ileal loop diversion generally tolerate it well and adapt to the altered body image.[2]