TURBT (transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor)

What is ureterectomy for bladder tumor (TURBT)?
TURBT is a procedure that is performed to simultaneously diagnose and treat bladder cancer in the early stages. The letters TURBT mean removal of a bladder tumor through the urethra. This method is usually the first method to diagnose and treat bladder cancer. Men are almost four times more likely to develop this type of cancer than women.

Most people with bladder cancer are diagnosed when the disease has not yet spread to the muscle wall. Almost all patients with bladder cancer undergo biopsy and bladder tumor surgery.

A biopsy is a procedure in which a doctor removes a sample of tissue from an area where cancer may be present. During the biopsy procedure, the doctor also tries to remove the cancerous mass. The entire process of sampling and removing the bladder tumor is called transurethral bladder tumor surgery (TURBT).

TURBT may be used to remove a bladder tumor:

To be seen in the cystoscopy test by a tumor specialist
After performing tests that have diagnosed a bladder tumor
The surgeon removes the bladder tumor through the urethra, usually under general anesthesia, which means that the person is asleep during the procedure. In some hospitals, spinal anesthesia may be used instead of general anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia means an injection into your spine so you can't feel anything in your lower back. This procedure takes between 15 and 90 minutes.

How to perform bladder tumor surgery
The surgeon inserts a thin, rigid tube called a cystoscope into the urethra.

Cystoscope has optical fibers and at the end of it there is a lamp, camera and eyepiece. The surgeon can look through an eyepiece or view images on a monitor screen.

The surgeon passes small instruments through the cystoscope to remove the tumor from the bladder lining

What are the risks of bladder tumor surgery?
Bladder tumor sampling and surgery is a very safe procedure. However, as with any surgery, there are risks involved. which include the following:

Risks related to anesthesia
Urinary tract infection
Heavy or prolonged bleeding
Making a hole in the bladder
If you have symptoms such as fever, chills, chills, or heavy bleeding after bladder tumor surgery, you should go to the emergency room immediately.

What is the recovery time after bladder tumor surgery?
In this procedure, a catheter is placed in the bladder to drain urine. At first, the presence of blood in the urine is normal. Drinking plenty of fluids helps empty the bladder and prevents infection. The catheter is removed when no more blood is seen in the urine.

Most people can perform simple bladder tumor surgery on an outpatient basis. However, if you have other medical concerns or a large amount of tissue needs to be removed, your doctor may recommend that you stay in the hospital.

You should be able to eat and drink as usual. You will probably be told to drink enough fluids. You may have some discomfort when urinating. You should be able to return to your normal activities within a few days.

What is the future perspective of bladder tumor surgery?
Bladder tumor biopsy and surgery is a successful treatment method for early stage bladder cancer. It can prevent the spread of cancer to the wall of the bladder muscle. Aggressive bladder cancers that have spread require more extensive treatment.

However, bladder cancer often returns (such as colon polyps or skin warts). Additional TURBT procedures may be required. The doctor will perform frequent follow-up examinations to look for signs of the cancer returning. The risks of repeating TURBT are small.

Some doctors prefer to burn smaller tumors rather than remove them.

If the bladder tumor operation shows that you have more advanced bladder cancer, you will likely need further treatment, which can include:

More extensive bladder tumor surgery
Tumor removal surgery
Bladder removal surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
Bacillus Calmette-Guerin or BCG. A type of treatment that uses the body's immune system to fight cancer.

Urologists determine the best treatment method based on tumor staging and personal medical history. Bladder tumor surgery can help stage cancer by determining whether the cancer has invaded the bladder wall. Staging refers to determining how serious the cancer is.