Long-Term Complications of the Irradiated Bladder: a Review

Radiation therapy is widely used to treat pelvic malignancies. Significant effects on bladder function are well known and, unfortunately, can be difficult to treat. The long-term effects of radiation therapy often manifest themselves well after radiation treatment has been completed. The most troubling of these is hemorrhagic cystitis. The paucity of data in regard to the management of radiation-induced bladder dysfunction is likely due to the often long duration between time of treatment and manifestation of symptoms. This review of the literature focuses on work published in the last 3 years, but older studies are included when no new data is available. The newest treatment options for radiation-induced bladder disease as well as the most recent data available regarding older treatments are discussed. © 2014, Springer Science+Business Media New York.