Università degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Corso di laurea in infermieristica - Sede di Modena

Abstract

Bladder cancer, also known as urological cancer, is the tenth most common cancer in the world and its incidence is steadily increasing globally, especially in developed countries. Bladder cancer is primarily a disease of ageing, on average it is 3-4 times more common in men than in women, and its incidence and prevalence increase around the age of 60-70. Radical cystectomy is the standard treatment for patients with tumor invading the muscular wall of the bladder; it is necessarily linked to the implementation of an adequate urinary diversion, the objectives of which are simple diversion and protection of the upper urinary tract and anatomical and functional reconstruction as close as possible to the preoperative state. Many surgical solutions can be adopted, but among the urinary shunts a few basic types can be identified: heterotopic incontinent shunts, heterotopic continent shunts and orthotopic continent shunts or neobladder. The nurse who takes care of the person who undergoes cystectomy and urinary diversion, must provide holistic and personalized care, aimed at self-care, provide information regarding the surgical procedure and the prevention of complications, educate the patient in the management of the urinary diversion, encourage a thorough knowledge of the physical, psychological, sexual and emotional aspects of having a urinary diversion, coordinate the care provided in the field of the multidisciplinary team and ensure and safeguard the continuity of care after discharge.