Data providing a well-structured plan for early detection and ideal follow-up protocols for urethral recurrence post radical cystectomy for bladder urothelial carcinoma are scattered across articles and have not been emphasized in the core of the literature. This literature review aims to provide an overview of the most recent data concerning all aspects of urethral recurrence after radical cystectomy, with a particular focus on surveillance and ideal follow-up protocols for early detection. Data on patients who had urethral recurrence after radical cystectomy for bladder urothelial carcinoma between 1990 and 2023 were collected and analyzed. Out of 277 studies, 50 were included. Exclusion criteria included patients with primary urethral malignancy, pediatric patients, patients with upper urinary tract involvement, and studies before 1990.Surveillance should be individualized according to each patient's specific risk factors. Patients were classified into low, intermediate, and high-risk groups based on these defined factors. Patients without symptoms and those at low risk should receive regular check-ups without urethral cytology. Intermediate and high-risk patients should have follow-ups every 3-6 months, which include urethral wash cytology, and if the cytology results are positive, urethroscopy is performed. Our study highlights that tailored surveillance is the key to early detection of urethral recurrence post radical cystectomy for bladder urothelial carcinoma, which, in turn, substantially improves prognostic outcomes as well as the quality of life in these patients.
Key words: Urethral, recurrence, radical, cystectomy.
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