Follow-up examination of bladder cancer patients after discharge

My father was diagnosed with bladder cancer during the Chinese New Year last year. He later underwent a bladder-preserving surgery in the hospital. He had some response to the initial chemotherapy after the surgery and is now in good condition. The doctor told us at the time that he needed a follow-up examination every three months. He has been discharged from the hospital for almost three months now. I don’t know what should be checked. Does he need a follow-up examination every three months?

In order to avoid recurrence after surgery, bladder cancer patients need to go to the hospital for regular checkups after being discharged from the hospital. The content and time of the checkups vary depending on the surgical method.

1. Follow-up after bladder preservation treatment

The main items of follow-up after bladder preservation treatment include cystoscopy and urine cytology examination. The examination should be conducted every 3 months within 2 years. If there is no recurrence within 2 years, the examination should be conducted every 6 months. After 5 years, the examination should be conducted once a year.

2. Follow-up after radical surgery for bladder cancer

The specific contents of the follow-up examination after radical surgery for bladder cancer include: blood routine, liver and kidney function, electrolytes, urine cytology, intravenous urography, B-ultrasound and CT, etc. Generally, the follow-up examination is conducted every 3 months within 1 year, every 6 months after 2 years, and once a year after 5 years.

Even if bladder cancer recurs after surgery, it is still possible to cure it after scientific treatment again. If you experience abnormal symptoms before the follow-up examination, you should go to a regular hospital for treatment in time to avoid delaying the disease and causing serious consequences.