TURBT Bladder Tumour Removal Melbourne
Transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) is the gold-standard procedure for diagnosing and treating bladder tumours. Using a resectoscope passed through the urethra, the tumour is removed layer by layer using an electrical loop. The tissue is sent for pathological analysis to determine the type, grade, and stage of the tumour. TURBT is both diagnostic and therapeutic, providing essential information to guide further treatment decisions.
Written and clinically reviewed by Dr Brendan Dias
Consultant Urologist & Robotic Surgeon · MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Urology), IntFRCS (England), FUSANZ, FRACS (Urology)
Last clinically reviewed: 26 August 2026
Benefits
- Complete removal of visible bladder tumours
- No external incisions - performed entirely through the urethra
- Provides tissue for accurate pathological staging
- Can treat multiple tumours in the same procedure
- Short hospital stay (usually overnight or day case)
- Guides decisions about further treatment needs
The Procedure
TURBT is performed under general or spinal anaesthesia. A resectoscope is inserted through the urethra into the bladder, which is filled with irrigation fluid. Using a magnified camera view, the tumour is systematically resected with an electrosurgical loop, cutting through the tumour and into the underlying bladder muscle. For staging purposes, muscle tissue must be included in the specimen. The tumour bed is then cauterised to stop bleeding. A catheter is left in place overnight to drain the bladder.
Who Is a Candidate?
TURBT is indicated for all newly diagnosed bladder tumours, recurrent bladder tumours on surveillance, visible bladder lesions of uncertain nature, and as part of the staging workup for bladder cancer. It is the first-line treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (stages Ta, T1, and carcinoma in situ).
Recovery
Most patients stay overnight and are discharged once comfortable and passing urine well after catheter removal. Blood in the urine is normal for 1-2 weeks. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for 2 weeks. You may experience urinary urgency and frequency for several days. Follow-up cystoscopy is essential for surveillance - typically at 3 months initially. You will be informed of the pathology results and any further treatment recommendations at your follow-up appointment.
Risks & Considerations
Potential complications include bleeding requiring blood transfusion or return to theatre (uncommon), bladder perforation (rare, may require prolonged catheterisation), urinary tract infection, recurrence of tumour (common with bladder cancer - not a complication of surgery but nature of the disease), urethral stricture from repeated procedures, and rarely injury to ureteric orifices requiring stent placement.