Urinary Bladder Cancer

TURBT

Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor (TURBT) is a surgical procedure commonly used in the diagnosis and treatment of urinary bladder cancer. Here's an overview of TURBT:

Purpose:

1. Diagnostic: TURBT is often used to obtain a tissue sample (biopsy) from suspicious areas of the bladder lining. This is crucial for confirming the presence of bladder cancer and determining its type and grade.

2. Therapeutic: TURBT is also a therapeutic procedure as it involves the removal of visible tumors or abnormal tissue within the bladder. This can be an essential step in the treatment of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Procedure:

1. Anesthesia: The patient is usually placed under general or spinal anesthesia to ensure they are unconscious or have no sensation during the surgery.

2. Cystoscopy: A cystoscope, a thin tube with a light and camera at the end, is inserted into the bladder through the urethra. This allows the surgeon to visualize the inside of the bladder.

3. Resection: Specialized instruments, often passed through the cystoscope, are used to remove or biopsy abnormal tissue. In the case of tumor removal, an electric current may be used to cut away the tissue.

4. Tissue Sampling: Biopsies are taken from suspicious areas for further examination under a microscope.

5. Postoperative Care: The removed tissue is sent to a pathology laboratory for analysis to confirm the diagnosis and provide details about the cancer's characteristics.

TURBT is a common and important procedure in the management of bladder cancer, particularly for cases that are non-muscle-invasive. The information obtained from TURBT guides further treatment decisions, including the need for additional surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.