Restoring and Maintaining Urinary Function

ObjectivesTo describe surgical urinary diversion methods, nursing management, and survivorship issues in urologic cancer survivors.Data SourcesPubMed, Scopus, Cochran Reviews, Core 25 online texts.ConclusionOptions exist for patients that require urinary diversion, although long-term symptoms may persist.Implications for Nursing PracticeNurses must be knowledgeable about obstructive uropathy and understand the surgical options for urinary diversion following a cystectomy; pre- and post-operative needs exist for the cancer patient, family, and caregiver. Following completion of active treatment, a survivorship care plan summarizes active treatment and complications, plans long-term health outcomes and surveillance, and communicates with the primary care provider.