The Role of Palliative Urinary Diversion in the Management of Bladder Cancer

Summary— Nineteen patients underwent palliative diversion without cystectomy for intractable symptoms from carcinoma of the bladder. There were 7 early deaths (37%). In 6 patients (32%) it was considered that adequate palliation was achieved. It is concluded that there is a small number of patients in whom cystectomy is inappropriate, but who may benefit from diversion alone.