Neobladder surgery options

Posted by deedubs1980 @deedubs1980, 23 hours ago

Hmm, where to begin.

A little background. I've had cancer twice in the past at 17months - 4 years old, then re-occurred from 5-7 years old with Rhabdomyosarcoma. Fast forward to May 2026 and I was diagnosed now at 45 with SCBC. So this is my third time. Anyway, initial pet scan is showing localized and contained to the bladder. We just finished 4 rounds of cisplatin/etoposide. Currently, waiting 3 weeks for the next pet scan.

Alright, so I've spoken with my surgeon and he mentioned 3 different types of surgeries for neobladder. I'm curious which is best or if it's just a preference? I was pretty much going for whatever would keep some nerve endings for sexual feeling, while still providing best chance at survival. But then robots, semi robot, open up came up in discussion and I was just like um, I pick the survival one. Which one is that? Any input from others would be appreciated as to which you chose and why.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bladder Cancer Support Group.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sepdvm | 1 hour ago

Hello @deedubs1980 and welcome to Mayo Connect. You have a good record of beating cancer in your lifetime. So sorry that you had to have that battle at all. My husband had a neobladder surgery at Mayo Clinic in 2021. he was only offered open surgery likely because he had a previous partial cystectomy to remove the original tumor, and 29 lymph nodes removed at that time. That leaves a lot of scar tissue to deal with. Nerve sparing was never discussed. With his many complications postop and over the next 2 years, he has had a couple other surgeries done robotically. A large incisional hernia repair placing mesh across his abdomen was done robotically and the recovery was amazingly quick and less painful. If your surgeon feels that a robotic or even semi gives the same survival odds as open, then I would suggest that route for a faster recovery and less discomfort. Where are you receiving your medical care, if you don't mind sharing?