TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF BLADDER TUMOR (TURBT)

A surgical procedure through the urethra done in a hospital setting under general or regional (your anesthesiologist injects medication near a cluster of nerves to numb only the area of your body that requires surgery) anesthesia, to biopsy any abnormal tissue that is found during a cystoscopy. During the TURBT, the doctor will remove tumours and samples of the bladder muscle near the tumours. The material removed is sent to a lab for analysis under a microscope. The result of the analysis is used to help determine the stage and grade of the bladder cancer. (See the following section on “Staging and grading your bladder cancer.”)

Another procedure often done during the TURBT is called EUA (exam under anesthesia). In this procedure, the urologist evaluates the bladder to see if any masses can be felt.

In some facilities, Cysview (hexaminolevulinate HCl) with blue light cystoscopy may be used during the TURBT procedure. A solution containing the hexaminolevulinate HCl (called an “agent”) is inserted into the bladder about an hour before the TURBT. The agent essentially “marks” the tumour, which can be more clearly seen using a blue light. The procedure is designed to enhance detection and visualization of nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer, in particular carcinoma in situ (CIS) to help ensure the resections (surgical removal) of all suspicious lesions. It reveals lesions that may not be seen with standard white light cystoscopy. Note that Cysview is not available in all medical facilities.