Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) is among the most common procedures for testing and diagnosing bladder cancer. The procedure simultaneously allows your doctor to determine whether cancer is present and remove any abnormal tissue.
As a minimally invasive, safe procedure, TURBT serves as a critical first step in the management of bladder cancer.
What happens during TURBT?
During TURBT, your provider inserts a thin, flexible tool called a resectoscope into the bladder through the urethra. A resectoscope has a wire loop at the end that uses electrical currents to remove the tumor and cauterize the bladder to seal the blood vessels. The removed samples can then be sent to pathology for testing.
To facilitate the detection of cancer cells, blue light cystoscopy may also be used during TURBT. Your provider can inject a contrast solution into the bladder that cancer cells take up in large amounts. When shining a blue light on the bladder during TURBT, the cancer cells will turn pink or red, improving detection.
Preparing for TURBT
To prepare for TURBT, you may be told not to eat or take certain medications for several hours before the procedure. During the surgery, you will either receive general anesthesia, which makes you sleep throughout the procedure, or spinal anesthesia, which numbs your body below the waist. Either way, you will not feel any pain during the tumor resection.
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What to expect after TURBT
When you wake up from TURBT, you might have a catheter — this is completely normal. The catheter helps your bladder heal from the procedure and may remain placed anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Once you wake up and recover from the anesthesia, you should be free to return to your normal diet.
Generally, you’ll be able to go home after a day or two, given that there aren’t any complications.
Don’t worry if you notice some blood in your urine after TURBT. In some patients, this can last up to two weeks and is a normal part of the healing process. If the bleeding gets heavier or you notice any clots, though, you should immediately contact your doctor.
Once the biopsy results are ready, which can take a couple of weeks, you’ll set up an appointment with your care team to discuss their findings.
Risks of TURBT
Overall, TURBT is a safe procedure, and many patients experience no complications. However, the procedure does come with some risks, such as:
- Bleeding: While bleeding is a normal side effect of TURBT, severe or prolonged bleeding could be a sign that the bladder isn’t healing properly.
- Urinary tract infection: Signs of a urinary tract infection include pain with urination, frequent urination and strong-smelling urine.
- Bladder perforation: In rare cases, surgery can cause a small hole to be made in the bladder. For smaller perforations, a catheter might be enough to help the tear heal on its own. However, larger perforations may require surgical repair.
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