Partial cystectomy in the treatment of primary and secondary carcinoma of the bladder.

We reviewed 50 patients who had undergone partial cystectomy for primary carcinoma of the bladder. Specific indications and operative technique are discussed. The 5-year survival rate was 67% for patients with stages O and A disease, 53% for stage B and 20% for stages C and D1. Survival was improved for patients with tumors on the posterior bladder wall. Patients in whom free margins of resection were accomplished for unifocal disease had longer survival, with a diminished propensity for developing recurrent bladder cancer. There was no hospital mortality and postoperative complications were minimal. An additional 12 patients underwent partial cystectomy for adjacent carcinomas secondarily invading the bladder with less favorable results.