Best Doctor List Near You for Tur Bladder Tumour in Bloomington

Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) is a surgical procedure used to diagnose, stage, and treat bladder cancer. During this minimally invasive procedure, a surgeon inserts a resectoscope through the urethra into the bladder. This instrument is equipped with a small camera and a loop of wire at the end, which is used to remove or "resect" abnormal tissue or tumors from the bladder wall. TURBT is typically the first-line treatment for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, and it also helps in determining the grade and stage of the tumor. The tissue removed during TURBT is sent to a lab for pathological analysis to assess the aggressiveness of the cancer and to guide further treatment. The primary cause for requiring TURBT is the presence of bladder tumors, often linked to risk factors such as smoking, exposure to certain chemicals, chronic bladder irritation, or a history of bladder cancer. While TURBT is generally effective, it does come with potential complications. These can include bleeding, which might necessitate a blood transfusion or further surgery, and perforation of the bladder wall, which could lead to leakage of urine into the abdominal cavity and require additional surgical intervention. Postoperative complications may also include infection, frequent urination, or difficulty emptying the bladder. Additionally, there is a risk of tumor recurrence, which often requires repeat TURBT procedures or additional treatments such as intravesical therapy. Despite these risks, TURBT remains a critical procedure for the management and treatment of bladder cancer, providing valuable information and often serving as an initial step in cancer control.