Transurethral Resection of a Bladder Tumour (TURBT)

Overview

A trans urethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) is usually the first treatment you have for early bladder cancer. Your surgeon removes the tumour in your bladder through the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of your body.

You might have TURBT to remove early bladder cancer:

• During a cystoscopy test if your specialist sees a tumour
• After having tests that have shown a bladder tumour

You usually have it under general anaesthetic, which means you are asleep. In some hospitals, you may have a spinal anaesthetic instead of a general anaesthetic. This is an injection into your spine (epidural) so you can’t feel anything from below your waist.

This treatment takes between 15 to 90 minutes.

How the procedure is performed

The surgeon puts a thin rigid tube called a cystoscope into your urethra. The cystoscope has optic fibres inside it, a light, camera and eyepiece at one end. The surgeon can look through the eyepiece or see images on a TV screen.

The surgeon passes small instruments down the cystoscope to cut any tumours out of your bladder lining. They use the cystoscope to look at the inside of your bladder. They also pass small instruments down the cystoscope. They use these instruments to remove any tumours. They then use a probe to seal (cauterise) the area to stop any bleeding.

After surgery

You go to a recovery area to rest after an anaesthetic. Your nurse monitors you and takes regular measurements until you wake up from the anaesthetic properly. You can eat and drink normally.

You may have a tube into your bladder (catheter) to drain urine into a bag for a short time. The nurse removes it before you go home. You may see blood in your urine. This might last for up to 3 days. This won’t mean you can’t go home.

You may notice some bleeding 10 to 14 days after the operation. Do not worry about this it can be normal. Drink plenty but if it doesn’t stop within 24 hours call your advice line. Your doctor asks you to drink lots of fluids, to flush out your bladder. This helps to protect you from getting a urine infection.

When you first start passing urine it may burn and sting for several days. You’ll be given painkillers to help make this more comfortable.

If you’re having a general anaesthetic you’ll need someone with you so they can take you home and stay with you overnight. Also for 24 hours after you shouldn’t drive, drink alcohol, operate heavy machinery or sign any legally binding documents.

What are the risks?

A TURBT is a safe procedure. Your nurse will tell you who to contact if you have any problems after your TURBT. Your doctors will make sure the benefits of having a TURBT outweigh any possible risks.

Some possible risks include:

Bleeding 

You should contact the hospital immediately if:

• the bleeding is getting worse
• there are blood clots in your urine
• you have severe pain when passing urine
• you can’t pass urine and have severe pain

Infection

There is a risk of infection. Symptoms can include:

• going to the toilet more often
• burning and stinging when passing urine
• high temperature
• feeling hot and cold or shivery
• cloudy or offensive smelling urine
• generally feeling unwell

Contact your doctor as you might need antibiotics to treat an infection.

Damage or injury to the bladder

Rarely, there can be a small tear (perforation) of the bladder or it may be injured. It’s likely this will settle with a catheter for a few days to rest the bladder. Very rarely you may need surgery to help fix this problem.

Bruising and swelling

You might get a small bruise around the area where they put the needle in for the cannula.

There’s is a risk that the anaesthetic or antibiotics will leak outside the vein. This can cause swelling and pain in your arm but it’s rare.