Bladder augmentation surgery--what about the malignant risk?

Augmentation cystoplasty has become a common surgical treatment for the neuropathic bladder. However, malignancy in bladder augmentations has been well-described and in time is estimated to occur in 1.3% of cases. We surveyed 36 paediatric surgeons from the UK with a special interest in paediatric urology to ascertain how many bladder augmentations were being performed in children each year and whether the surgeons were warning patients/parents of the malignant risks involved with this surgery. Over 150 bladder augmentations were being performed in the UK each year. Surgeons surveyed were concerned about the malignant risks and nearly all agreed that a Central Registry of patients with bladder augmentations should be established to keep track of developments.