Performance status is a predictor of overall survival of elderly patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Purpose: Elderly patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer often present treatment challenges due to concomitant comorbidities and psychosocial factors. This study examines patterns of treatment in this population and evaluates the impact of these factors on overall survival in a contemporary population.

Materials And Methods: Common components of geriatric assessment were reviewed in 152 consecutive patients 70 years old or older presenting with nonmetastatic muscle invasive bladder cancer from January 1995 to December 2004 (median followup of 41 months).

Impact of body mass index on radical cystectomy.

Purpose: Radical cystectomy has a significant rate of morbidity and it is important to elucidate the factors that contribute to this risk. Obesity is a major problem in the United States and is associated with increased health hazard. Morbid obesity may even preclude definitive surgical treatment.

Orthotopic bladder substitution in women: nontraditional applications.

Purpose: Orthotopic urinary diversion is a feasible and optimal technique for many women undergoing cystectomy. Although successful outcomes have been achieved, groups at most centers have strict selection criteria. We evaluated our experience with female orthotopic diversion in traditional and nontraditional candidates.