Follow-up of patients after curative bladder cancer treatment: guidelines vs. practice.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Goal of surveillance after curative treatment of bladder cancer is to identify bladder cancer recurrence in an early stage. There also has to be close follow-up of the metabolic and functional consequences of urinary diversions. In this review we propose a follow-up scheme based on the available literature.

RECENT FINDING

Follow-up of patients who underwent curative treatment after invasive bladder cancer covers many aspects. Most recurrences are seen within 2-3 years after curative treatment, therefore awareness of specific signs and symptoms that indicate local-regional, distant, upper urinary tract and urethral recurrence are important. But apart from the oncological follow-up there are also metabolic and functional aspects that play a vital role in surveillance.

SUMMARY

At this time there is no consensus about the best follow-up strategy and a follow-up strategy based on the literature is suggested.