If a patient is diagnosed with bladder cancer, usually the most accurate choice of treatment would be to undergo surgery. However, which types of surgery a patient should undertake, depends on the doctor’s advice and the stage of cancer. Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) is considered the first line of a procedure that can diagnose and treat visible tumors. In addition, it is one of the most effective treatments for early-stage diagnosis of tumors that have not spread to surrounding muscles in the balder yet.

Importantly, almost eight out of 10 people who have been diagnosed with bladder cancer have developed the non-muscle invasive type, that transurethral resection of bladder tumor is offered them as the best treatment. Generally, the goal of transurethral resection of the bladder tumor is to remove cancer cells along with the surrounding tissues in the balder wall. The tumor inside the balder will be removed through the urethra, which is a long tube helping with the discharge of the urine out of the body. 

Advantages:

• Undergoing a transurethral resection of a bladder tumor can both diagnose and treat bladder cancer
• TURBT is an effective treatment if the tumor has not spread to surrounding tissues in the bladder.

Disadvantages:

• In some cases, a TURBT procedure cannot remove all the cancer cells; therefore, other treatments may be needed.
• Depending on the size of the tumor, the patient may need to be hospitalized for a few days.

If the tumor is considerably large, full recovery may take some weeks, so it is highly recommended that a family member or a friend would be present alongside the patient.

• It is absolutely crucial that the patient refrains from smoking, which is also a leading cause of bladder cancer.
• Because of the anesthetic drug, the patient should not eat anything for six hours before the TURBT procedure.
• Wearing compression stockings and taking some medication may be necessary to prevent any blood clots.

Considering the size and the number of tumors the TURBT operation can take between 15 minutes to one hour. Also, the procedure may require a general or local anesthetic. A type of Cystoscope, which is called a resectoscope, will be inserted into the urethra to reach the bladder. Furthermore, with the help of a camera which is mounted at the end of the Cystoscope, the doctor will take some pictures from inside the bladder.

Afterward, some special instruments will be passed through the cystoscope. These instruments use heat or laser to destroy any cancer cells and to stop any bleeding, which may occur following the removal of the tumor. Besides, some tissue samples for further analysis in the lab will be removed from the tumor surrounding areas.

Ordinarily, the occurrence of any side effects after the TURBT procedure would be temporary. However, some common complications will be explained below:

• The existence of blood when the patient urinates.
• Recurrence of blood cancer.
• A feeling of fatigue.
• Discomfort.
• Infection.
• Bruising and swelling.

• Drink fluid as much as you can, around 1.5 liters per day.
• After the operation, antibiotics should be taken according to the doctor’s prescription.
• Refrain from driving or any strenuous activities.

Over the past years, Iranian urologists have shown significant novelty in the treatment of bladder cancer by adhering to global health protocols and conducting thorough research. The procedure is among some of the delicate and difficult operations in the field of urology; therefore, it should be performed only by expert urologists. Iranian surgeons have adequate knowledge and experience in this field which has paved the way for many patients around the world to pursue their treatment under the professional guidance of one of the Iranian urologists.

The last decades have witnessed a growth in bladder cancer deaths, including in Iran, leading to many urologists to take and follow any possible measures to provide the best health outcome for all patients. Furthermore, patients who have chosen Iran as their medical destination should feel assured that all of the sub-specialty hospitals in Iran have full access to the latest treatment facilities for the diagnosis of bladder cancer and any follow-up treatments.