Long-Term Bladder Function in Patients with Locally Advanced Cervical Carcinoma Treated with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Type 3-4 Radical Hysterectomy

BACKGROUND. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the incidence of long-term bladder dysfunction after type 3-4 radical hysterectomy in patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). METHODS. A case-control study was conducted to evaluate the occurrence of long-term bladder dysfunction in 76 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Stage IB-IIA (> 4 cm), Stage IIB, and Stage III cervical carcinoma who underwent type 3-4 radical hysterectomy after NACT. Preoperative assessment included acquisition of a standardized urogynecologic history, evaluation of severity of urinary incontinence symptoms, maintenance of a 3-day voiding diary, pelvic examination, urogynecologic physical examination, urodynamic assessment, and estimation of hydronephrosis. Follow-up was carried out at least 12 months after surgery. RESULTS. Urinary symptoms (sensory loss, difficult micturition, severe urinary incontinence) were reported by 20 patients (26%). Eighteen patients (24%) had a normal urodynamic profile, 16 patients (21%) had detrusor overactivity, 22 patients (29%) had urodynamic stress incontinence, 2 patients (2%) had aconctractile detrusor, and 18 patients (24%) had mixed urinary incontinence. The length of vagina removed was significantly greater among patients who had detrusor overactivity and mixed urinary incontinence compared with patients who had a normal diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS. The observed rate of bladder dysfunction was higher than the corresponding rate reported in the literature (76%). Three main disturbances were found: detrusor overactivity (21%), mixed urinary incontinence (24%), and de novo stress incontinence (21%). Detrusor overactivity was related to a prevalence of hypertonic bladder. Among patients who underwent type 4 radical hysterectomy, the extent of caudal resection of rectovaginal ligaments and vaginal tissue was found to be more strongly associated with bladder dysfunction than was the extent of lateral parametrial resection. Despite the fact that 76% of patients had abnormal urodynamic parameters, most patients were satisfied with their voiding condition. © 2004 American Cancer Society.