Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor (TURBT) is the standard initial surgical treatment and diagnostic procedure for bladder cancer. It is done through the urethra, without external cuts, to remove bladder tumors for both treatment and staging. TURBT provides tissue for biopsy to determine cancer type and depth, guiding further treatment, and is the primary treatment for superficial bladder cancer.

Purpose of TURBT

• Diagnosis: It confirms the presence of bladder cancer and its specific type.
• Treatment: It removes tumors from the bladder, particularly non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).
• Staging: It helps determine if the cancer has spread into the bladder's muscle layer.
• Treatment Planning: It guides decisions for further treatment, such as additional surgeries or intravesical therapies.

Advantages

• Minimally invasive (no external incision)
• Diagnostic (provides tumor tissue for staging)
• Therapeutic (removes visible tumor)
• Can be repeated if tumor recurs

When to Contact a Doctor

• Signs of infection, such as fever or chills.
• Worsening pain.
• Bright red bleeding that does not stop.
• Difficulty urinating.

Summary:

TURBT is the primary diagnostic and therapeutic procedure for bladder cancer. It removes the tumor, provides tissue for staging, and may be followed by intravesical chemotherapy or immunotherapy (BCG) to prevent recurrence.