Trans Urethral Resection of the Bladder Tumour (TURBT)

Transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) is a procedure used to diagnose bladder cancer and remove any tumour or cancerous tissue from the bladder. The surgery is performed under general or spinal anaesthesia. Your surgeon inserts a cystoscope (a thin tube with light and camera fitted at the end) into the bladder through the urethral opening (natural opening for the outflow of urine) to locate any tumour growth or cancerous tissue in the bladder. An instrument called the resectoscope (a wire loop) is inserted through the cystoscope. Electric current is passed through the wire loop to cut away the cancerous tissue along with a margin of healthy tissue. The complete surgical procedure takes around 15 to 40 minutes.

A catheter (thin, flexible tube) may be inserted into the urethra and left in place for about 24 hours to remove any blood clots formed in your bladder. You may have to stay in hospital for 1 to 4 days after the surgery. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection and painkillers to provide relief from post-operative pain.

Like all surgical procedures, TURBT may involve complications such as blood in urine, pain and discomfort.