Should we Refrain from Performing Oophorectomy in Conjunction with Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer?

Abstract

Radical cystectomy with neoadjuvant chemotherapy is the gold standard for treating muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Women subjected to radical cystectomy are frequently postmenopausal, and the median age for bladder cancer diagnosis in women in Sweden is currently 73 yr (Swedish National Bladder Cancer Register). Traditionally, most women treated with radical cystectomy have undergone simultaneous bilateral oophorectomy and hysterosalpingectomy to diminish the risk of later ovarian disease and ovarian bladder cancer recurrence, but also the belief that there is no impact on health or health-related quality of life associated with oophorectomy and the fact that it might be easier surgery to take the ovarian pedicles, rather than sparing the ovaries. However, pelvic organ preservation is considered in some younger women to diminish postoperative functional impairment. Based on recent literature in several areas related to oophorectomy, we question the rationale and arguments for performing oophorectomy in women in conjunction with radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.