TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OR CYSTECTOMY? AN ATTEMPT TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION BY AN EVALUATION OF 688 PATIENTS WITH CARCINOMA OF THE BLADDER (WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO AGE, SEX, STAGE AND THE PRESENCE

An analysis of age, sex, staging and medical risk of 688 patients with bladder tumours has been carried out. The collected results are discussed with particular reference to the indications for transurethral resection (TUR) and cystectomy. In a non-selected group of patients it was found that approximately 75% should undergo a transurethral operation and 10-15% a cystectomy. In a 25 year follow-up of 331 patients over 70 years of age there has been a marked increase in the use of TUR. The survival figures demonstrate the success of this approach.