Transurethral bladder tumor resection (TURBT) is a surgical procedure used to diagnose, stage, and treat bladder cancer. During this procedure, a surgeon removes cancerous tissue from the bladder wall through the urethra without making any incisions in the body.

What is Bladder Tumor?

A bladder tumor is an abnormal growth of cells in the bladder, an organ that stores urine before it is expelled from the body. These tumors can be non-cancerous or cancerous. The cancerous (malignant) bladder tumors have the potential to invade surrounding tissues and spread to other parts of the body, while non-cancerous (benign) bladder tumors do not.

Types of Bladder Tumor

Bladder tumors can be classified as either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Malignant bladder tumors can be further divided into different types based on the cells from which they originate. Here are the main types of bladder tumors:

Urothelial Carcinoma (Transitional Cell Carcinoma):

This is the most common type of bladder cancer, accounting for about 90% of cases. Urothelial carcinoma originates in the urothelial cells that line the inner surface of the bladder.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma:

This type accounts for 1-5% of bladder cancers. Chronic irritation or infection can increase the risk of squamous cell carcinoma, it doesn’t necessarily cause cancer to develop.

Adenocarcinoma:

This rare type of bladder cancer, accounting for about 1% of cases. It is thought that adenocarcinoma arises from urachal remnants, which are embryonic structures that connect the bladder to the umbilicus during fetal development.

Benign Bladder Tumors:

Non-cancerous bladder tumors, such as papillomas or fibromas, are less common than malignant bladder tumors and do not spread to other parts of the body. However, they can cause similar symptoms to malignant bladder tumors, such as blood in the urine.

Symptoms of Bladder Tumors

Bladder tumors can cause various symptoms, including:
Blood in the urine (hematuria)
Frequent or painful urination
Feeling the need to urinate even when the bladder is empty.

If you experience any of these symptoms or have other concerns, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional for evaluation and appropriate diagnostic tests.

Treatment for Bladder Tumors

The common treatment for bladder tumors is transurethral bladder tumor resection. However, the treatment options for bladder tumors depend on factors such as the type, stage, and grade of the tumor, as well as the patient’s overall health read on to learn how TURBT is performed.

Procedure

This procedure is usually performed under general or regional anesthesia, and patients may be given medications to relax the bladder and reduce discomfort.
The surgeon will use a cystoscope, a thin, flexible tube equipped with a light and camera.
The surgeon will then insert the cystoscope into the urethra and then guide it to the bladder.
Once the tumor is located, the surgeon will use a special wire loop or other instruments to remove or burn away the cancerous tissue.
The tissue samples will be sent for further analysis, which can help determine the stage of cancer and inform treatment decisions.

After the surgery, a catheter may be placed in the bladder to help drain urine while the area heals.

Common Complications

TURBT is a common procedure used to diagnose and treat bladder cancer. However, with any surgical procedure, there are potential complications that can arise with TURBT. Some of the common complications of TURBT include:

Some bleeding is expected during and after TURBT, but in rare cases, it can be severe and may require blood transfusion or additional procedures to control the bleeding.
Urinary tract infections can occur after TURBT, which may require antibiotics for treatment.
Anesthesia-related complications
There are rare chances of blood clots forming in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism) following TURBT.
Rear chances of the recurrence of bladder cancer.

Note:

It is important to discuss the potential risks and complications with your healthcare provider before undergoing TURBT so that you can make an informed decision about your treatment options.

Consultation

TURBT is a serious medical procedure and you need to visit a highly-experienced and qualified urologist, if you are facing any indications. Euromed Clinic Dubai offers consultation regarding bladder tumors on a regular basis (during working days). For further queries, fill out the following form to meet with our andrologists and discuss your issue with them. You can also book your appointment by calling us at +971 4 394 5422