Connect
Neobladder or Ileal Conduit, unsure
Hi -
57 year old male. Diagnosed with T1HG suspicious of being T2.
RC scheduled for 10/8 and still have unsure if I want a neobladder or Ileal Conduit?
There's no doubt that the neobladder is more appealing as it presents the opportunity to keep urine flow similar to today, no bag, and possibly fewer late term complications. However, it may not be an easy road to get there based on some of the stories I've read.
Ileal Conduit has an easier recovery, and should I need chemo, I believe it would allow me to be in better place to manage if needed immediately. I'm not deterred by having a stoma or needing a bag either.
My first concern is beating cancer and second how do I get better each day after surgery.
Seeking good and bad outcomes on both sides. Welcome any thoughts of advice from personal or family member experiences.
Thank you in advance for sharing and well wishing to all.
Best - M
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bladder Cancer Support Group.
Connect
Forgot to mention I’m relatively healthy with no other health concerns.
The many oncologists I met told me neo has a higher chance of recurrence. Also many never become continent. And many experience other issues. IC can also have issues like hernias. I opted for IC and in my case it did allow me to get adjuvant DDMVAC a month after RC. Which was indicated after upstaging.
Add signatera after TURBT and before RC if possible. It can guide treatment decisions.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionMy radical cystectomy and hysterectomy was done robotically. Six small incisions and literally no pain. I was discharged with Tylenol if needed after four days in the hospital. I even asked my surgeon the day after the operation if he really removed everything we had talked about because I felt great! I chose the conduit for a number of reasons. Prior to my TRBT, I had become increasingly incontinent with painful spasms, not sleeping for more than an hour at a time for two months before the TURBT removed a 3 cm tumor. Everything got worse after the Turbt,I couldn’t imagine continuing with that after the cystectomy. My new surgeon explained the pros/cons and I felt conduit was the best solution for me. I don’t regret it. Attaching an overnight urine collection bag allows me to sleep 8 hours! Changing the bag twice a week is easy. I have traveled by air and was working out several times a week until my cancer came back this year and I started treatment again. I had an easy cystectomy recovery and was ready for necessary chemo in 6 weeks. The only problem I’ve had with the bag is very recent with a rash under the device that is being treated with a foam applied during changes. My care team also works with phenomenal ostomy nurses who were a tremendous help.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@141emp , also strongly advocate use of Signatera test. Peace of mind and early warning if cancer is back.
I’m a male 57 yoa and had a radical cystectomy in Feb. 2025. I went with a neobladder. My surgery was robotic plus an open incision that lasted 14 hours all inverted. I was off work for 7 weeks and traveled to Portugal in late May. I have since traveled twice nationally without issues. I had no other health issues but the recovery was tough (the toughest being 4 weeks with a catheter). I feel 100% now without any limitations and do not regret the neobladder decision. I hope this helps in making your decision.