What is a radical cystectomy?

A radical cystectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the complete removal of the bladder along with the pelvic lymph nodes. This procedure is typically performed to treat muscle-invasive bladder cancer or other serious bladder conditions. By removing both the bladder and the surrounding lymph nodes, the surgery aims to eliminate cancerous tissue and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.

In contrast, partial removal of the bladder involves only the excision of a portion of the bladder, which does not provide the same level of certainty in terms of cancer removal and is usually used for less invasive conditions. The option that describes the removal of the bladder only does not encompass the necessary lymph node dissection which is critical in understanding the extent of cancer spread. Removing the urethra alone is not considered a radical cystectomy either, as this does not address the bladder or the lymph nodes involved in a more extensive cancer treatment approach.