This nomogram calculates the risk of bladder cancer recurrence for individual patients after radical cystectomy (surgical removal of the entire bladder) and pelvic lymph node dissection (removal of the surrounding lymph nodes). It is appropriate only for bladder cancer patients who received surgery without chemotherapy.
In consultation with a physician, patients can use this tool to calculate the likelihood that they will be free of bladder cancer five years after surgical treatment for their cancer. Risk of recurrence (the return of a cancer after a period during which it could not be detected) is a key factor in determining the need for additional therapies after bladder cancer surgery.