Quality of Life in Patients with Bladder Cancer Undergoing Ileal Conduit: A Comparison of Women Versus Men

Background/ Aim: Studies comparing healthrelated quality of life (HR-QoL) between patients who underwent radical cystectomy (RC) and those who underwent a different form of urinary diversion has not reached yet univocal and reliable conclusions. The aim of our study was to evaluate bladder-specific long-term HR-QoL after radical cystectomy and ileal conduit. Patients and Methods: A multicenter study was carried out on 145 consecutive patients (112 males and 33 females) undergoing RC and ileal conduit (IC). HR-QoL assessment was conducted using Italian versions of European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and EORTC BLM-30 questionnaires. Results: Our data showed that women who underwent IC presented greater problems than men in cognitive functioning (mean score +/- SD: 77.3 +/- 27.9 vs. 87.8 +/- 18.6) as well in future perspective (score: 42.4 +/- 34.4 vs. 21.9 +/- 24.6). Nevertheless, men undergoing IC had more problems in sexual functioning than women (score: 23.3 +/- 24.5 vs. 7.0 +/- 20.3) (all p<0.05). Conclusion: In our series, female patients presented a greater burden than male patients in cognitive functioning as well in future perspective, but lower concerns with regard to sexual function.