Introduction
Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor (TURBT) is a common surgery used to diagnose and treat bladder cancer. This minimally invasive method removes cancer tissue while keeping the bladder working normally. Many patients have questions about what TURBT involves and what to expect. This guide covers everything from the basics to recovery and long-term care.
What is TURBT?
TURBT is a surgery that removes abnormal tissue from inside the bladder without cutting through the skin. The name breaks down like this:
- Trans: Through
- Urethral: The tube that carries urine out of the body
- Resection: Surgical removal
- Bladder Tumor: Abnormal growth in the bladder
During TURBT, a doctor puts a special tool called a resectoscope through the urethra into the bladder. This thin tube has a light, camera, and cutting tools. It lets the surgeon see inside, remove tumors, and stop bleeding all at once.
When Do You Need TURBT?
Doctors use TURBT for several key reasons:
- To diagnose: Get tissue samples to check for cancer
- To treat: Remove visible cancer growths
- To stage: Find out how deep the cancer goes
- To follow up: Check if cancer has come back
You might need TURBT when:
- Tests show something unusual in your bladder
- You have blood in your urine
- You feel the need to pee often or it hurts to pee
- You’ve had bladder cancer before and need follow-up checks
Types of Bladder Cancer TURBT Treats
TURBT works best for early bladder cancers that haven’t grown into the muscle, such as:
- Papillary carcinoma (Ta): Growths that stick out into the bladder
- Carcinoma in situ (CIS): Flat, high-risk cancers in the bladder lining
- T1 tumors: Cancers that have grown into the layer below the lining
For more advanced cancers (T2-T4) that have reached the muscle, TURBT helps with diagnosis. But you’ll likely need more treatments like bladder removal, chemo, or radiation.
What Happens During TURBT?
Before Surgery
Here’s how you’ll get ready:
- Your doctor will check your health history and do a physical exam
- You may need to stop taking some meds, especially blood thinners
- Don’t eat or drink for 6-8 hours before surgery
- You might need laxatives to clear your bowels
- Your doctor may give you antibiotics to prevent infection
During Surgery
TURBT happens under anesthesia and takes 30-90 minutes:
- You’ll get medicine to make you sleep or numb you from the waist down
- The surgeon slides the resectoscope through your urethra into your bladder
- They fill your bladder with fluid to see better
- Using the camera, they look at your entire bladder
- They remove tumors with a wire loop that uses electric current to cut tissue
- They may take extra samples to check for cancer spread
- They place a catheter to drain urine and blood
Some doctors use special techniques to see tumors better:
- Blue light: Makes cancer cells glow pink
- Narrow band imaging: Shows the contrast between normal and cancer cells
After Surgery
Your recovery includes:
- Waking up in a recovery room
- Having a catheter for 1-3 days
- Going home the same day or after one night
- Possibly getting your bladder flushed to prevent blood clots
- Taking pain medicine as needed
- Limiting physical activity for 1-2 weeks
Possible Side Effects and Risks
TURBT is generally safe, but you might experience:
Short-term issues:
- Blood in your urine (common but temporary)
- Urinary tract infection (affects 5-10% of patients)
- Bladder perforation (rare, less than 5% of cases)
- Trouble peeing after catheter removal (usually temporary)
- Feeling like you need to pee often or urgently (common for weeks)
Long-term issues:
- Bladder scarring or narrowing of the urethra
- Cancer coming back if not fully removed
- Rarely, leg jerking during surgery due to nerve stimulation
Recovery and Self-Care
Most people return to normal activities within 1-2 weeks. Your doctor will advise you to:
- Drink plenty of water
- Take all prescribed antibiotics and pain relievers
- Slowly increase activity while avoiding heavy lifting for 2-4 weeks
- Keep all follow-up appointments
You’ll likely notice:
- Pink urine that gradually clears up
- Urinary symptoms that slowly improve
- Normal bladder function returning within 2-4 weeks
Follow-Up Care
Bladder cancer often comes back. You’ll need regular check-ups, including:
- Cystoscopy: Looking inside your bladder with a scope every 3-4 months at first
- Urine tests: Checking for cancer cells
- Imaging: CT scans or ultrasounds as needed
- Bladder treatments: Some patients get medicine put directly into the bladder
These bladder treatments come in two main types:
- Chemotherapy: Drugs like mitomycin C that kill fast-growing cells
- Immunotherapy: BCG treatment that helps your immune system fight cancer
How Well Does TURBT Work?
TURBT works well for early bladder cancer, but there are challenges:
- 50-70% of early bladder cancers come back within 5 years
- 10-20% grow into the muscle layer over time
- 5-year survival rates range from 70-90% for early bladder cancer
Factors affecting your outlook include:
- Tumor size, number, and grade
- Whether you have carcinoma in situ
- How completely the tumor was removed
- Whether you get additional treatments
- How well you stick with follow-up care
New Advances in TURBT
Technology keeps improving TURBT:
- Better imaging: Blue light and narrow band imaging find 20-25% more tumors
- En bloc resection: Removing the whole tumor in one piece
- Bipolar energy: May reduce complications
- Robot-assisted TURBT: Early studies show promising results
What Experts Say
Dr. Sarah Johnson, bladder cancer specialist, explains: “TURBT is still our best tool for early bladder cancer. The key is thorough removal and proper sampling of the muscle layer. With good follow-up care, TURBT helps control cancer while keeping the bladder working.”
Living with Bladder Cancer After TURBT
Many patients lead normal lives after TURBT but must adjust to:
- Regular doctor visits
- Worry about test results
- Possible lifestyle changes
Support is available through:
- Bladder cancer support groups
- Patient advocacy organizations
- Mental health services for cancer survivors
Common Questions
How painful is recovery?
Most people feel mild discomfort, not severe pain. Burning when you pee, bladder spasms, and urgency are common but improve within days or weeks. Over-the-counter pain relievers usually help.
Will I need more than one TURBT?
Many bladder cancer patients need multiple procedures. About 50-70% of early bladder cancers come back, often requiring repeat treatments.
When can I go back to work?
Most people return to desk jobs within a week. Physical jobs may require 2-4 weeks off. Your doctor will give you specific advice.
Can TURBT cure bladder cancer?
For early, low-grade cancers, TURBT can be curative. However, many patients develop new tumors even after complete removal, requiring ongoing monitoring.
What lifestyle changes help prevent recurrence?
Quitting smoking, drinking plenty of water, eating fruits and vegetables, and avoiding certain chemicals may lower your risk of recurrence.
Conclusion
TURBT is a key treatment for bladder cancer. It offers a minimally invasive way to diagnose and treat the disease. The procedure itself is safe, but bladder cancer care extends beyond surgery. It requires careful follow-up and sometimes additional treatments.
Understanding both the procedure and long-term care can help reduce anxiety. As technology advances, TURBT techniques keep improving. This offers hope for better outcomes in bladder cancer care.