AB002. SOH24AB_126. Qualitative and quality of life study exploring the patient’s perspective in a case of robot-assisted radical cysto-prostatectomy and intra-corporeal neo-bladder for the treatment of bladder cancer

Background: Bladder cancer (BC) patients who undergo radical cystectomy (RC) and urinary diversion (UD) encounter functional and quality-of-life (QoL) challenges. Little is known about patient’s experiences from diagnosis, decision-making, surgery, and recovery, or how they can vary by treatment setting. Minimally invasive robot-assisted RC and UD has potential to minimise physical and psychological trauma and are increasingly being adopted for patient with muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) world-wide. This study aims to report QoL and experience of a patient who underwent robot-assisted radical cysto-prostatectomy and intra-corporeal neo-bladder (RRCINB) for the treatment of MIBC and to explore patient’s journey from diagnosis, per-operative care and effect on QoL.

Methods: We describe our patient’s journey through presentation, diagnostic tests, and initial transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) for staging, decision making process for RRCINB and post-operative recovery. Semi-structured interview and various relevant QoL questionnaires were used.

Results: A 65-year-old gentleman presented with visible haematuria and following initial investigation and TURBT, MIBC was diagnosed. The patient was extensively counselled about diagnosis and treatment options such as neo-adjuvant chemotherapy followed by open vs. robotic radical cysto-prostatectomy and ileal conduit vs. neo-bladder formation. The patient opted for RRCINB without neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. His journey was detailed in our report and QoL experiences were documented using International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire.

Conclusions: Information to support patient affected by BC in several aspects of their life trajectory (e.g., shared decision-making and self-management of their UD) was most important throughout the interviews. This study provides an in-depth patient’s journey after diagnosis of BC and QoL outcome RRCINB and can be used for counselling of patients with BC.

Keywords: Bladder cancer (BC); robotic surgery; intra-corporeal urinary diversion (intra-corporeal UD); orthotopic neobladder; intracorporeal neobladder robotic urinary diversion (intracorporeal neobladder robotic UD); robotic cystoprostatectomy