ABSTRACT

Open radical cystectomy (ORC) is the standard treatment modality in high-risk non-muscle-invasive and invasive bladder carcinoma. Although it has some advantages, oncologic outcomes of ORC are associated with high morbidity and mortality risks. In line with recent developments in urotechnology, the minimally invasive treatment modalities, such as laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) and robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) have emerged as an alternative to ORC. Compared to ORC, both treatment modalities have effective surgical and similar oncological outcomes as reported in various studies. However, due to inherent difficulties in the practice of LRC and high costs of RRC have hindered these two treatment modalities to become widespread. Considering the results obtained in experienced centers as well as long-term oncologic outcomes of large patient series forming samples of the whole population, changes in the standard treatment modality of invasive bladder tumors seem to be unavoidable.