At #EAU25, Dr. Vera R. and colleagues from Erasmus MC presented the first study to assess the environmental impact and staff requirements of radical cystectomy (RC) versus chemoradiation (CRT) for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. While both treatments offer similar oncological outcomes, they differ significantly in sustainability and resource use.
The study found that RC produced a carbon footprint of 208 kg CO₂-eq, while CRT reached 264 kg, largely due to travel-related emissions. RC, on the other hand, was three times more labor-intensive, requiring 93.5 staff hours compared to 29 for CRT. High-impact surgical supplies and frequent patient travel were the major contributors to emissions.
This work highlights key opportunities to reduce the environmental burden of bladder cancer care by optimizing materials, encouraging low-impact travel, and integrating renewable energy into hospital systems. A meaningful step toward greener healthcare delivery.
For more information: https://lnkd.in/d3ZWa5gR
