Finding out that you or a loved one has bladder cancer can feel overwhelming. You might have a lot of questions about what happens next. Learning about your treatment options, including a procedure called transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), can help you feel more confident and in control.

TURBT is often the first bladder cancer treatment for people with early-stage cancer. This article explains what TURBT is, how it works, and when it might be needed. We’ll also cover what to expect after having this procedure, possible side effects, and tips for staying healthy during recovery.

What Is Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor?

Doctors may use TURBT to help diagnose and remove bladder tumors. Most often, TURBT is used for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) — when the tumor affects only the bladder’s inner lining and hasn’t spread to the muscle layer.

TURBT is considered a safe procedure and doesn’t involve any cuts on your belly. Instead, the surgeon inserts either a cystoscope (a thin tube with a camera attached) or a resectoscope (a lighted device with a camera) into your urethra — the tube that carries urine (pee) out of your body. Once the tube is inside your bladder, your doctor can see the tumor and use a tiny wire with an electric current to remove it. This tool can also seal the area to stop any bleeding, which is a process called fulguration.

What Are the Benefits of TURBT?

TURBT is useful for both diagnosing and treating bladder cancer. First, it allows your doctor to remove the visible tumor. This tissue is sent to a lab, where a pathologist (a doctor who studies body tissue) looks at it under a microscope to check for cancer cells — a test called a biopsy. The results help determine the tumor’s grade (how unusual the cancer cells look) and stage (how deep the cancer has grown into the bladder wall).

Using TURBT, your doctor can also learn how many tumors you have, how big they are, and if they’ve spread to surrounding tissue. This information is important for planning the next steps. Often, TURBT alone can treat low-risk or early-stage bladder cancer. But if the tumor has high-risk features, you may need more treatment afterward.

What Should You Expect Before and During TURBT?

Before the procedure, your healthcare team will talk to you about your medical history and ask about any medications you’re on, especially blood thinners. You may need to stop taking these for a few days to reduce the risk of bleeding. You may also get blood tests or imaging scans to help your doctor get a good look at your bladder and surrounding areas.

TURBT is usually done in a hospital with anesthesia. This means you’ll either be asleep the whole time (general anesthesia) or awake but numb from the waist down (spinal anesthesia), so you won’t feel pain. A TURBT procedure can take anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes, depending on how many tumors are found.

Right before the surgery, you’ll meet with your doctor, go over a consent form, and have a chance to ask any last-minute questions.

During the procedure, you’ll lie on a surgical table. After the anesthesia takes effect, the doctor will gently guide the cystoscope into your bladder through your urethra. They’ll remove the tumor, stop any bleeding, and send the tissue to a lab for testing.

What Happens After the Procedure?

After a TURBT procedure, you’ll wake up in a recovery room. Your vital signs — breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure — will be monitored while the anesthesia wears off. You may have a soft, flexible tube called a catheter placed in your bladder to help drain urine. This urinary catheter will likely be removed before you leave the hospital.

Many people are able to go home the same day, though some may need to stay in the hospital overnight, especially if there’s more bleeding than expected. If you had general anesthesia and can go home the same day, you’ll need to have someone drive you and stay with you overnight. You’ll likely be told to avoid alcohol and not drive for at least 24 hours.

It’s normal to see some blood in your urine for a few days, and going to the bathroom might burn or sting. Light bleeding may also occur 10 to 14 days later. This is normal, too, but if it lasts for more than 24 hours, contact your healthcare team. Drinking plenty of water and other fluids helps flush out your bladder, which can ease discomfort and help protect against urinary tract infections (UTIs). Your doctor may prescribe a painkiller if needed.

What Are the Risks and Side Effects of TURBT?

TURBT is usually safe, but like any medical procedure, it does come with some risks. Some people may develop a UTI or other infection. Symptoms typically include:

• A burning or stinging feeling when you pee
• Frequent urination (going more than usual)
• Pee that looks cloudy or smells strong
• Fever

Although some bleeding after a TURBT is normal, you should contact your doctor right away if you:

• Start to bleed more
• Notice blood clots in your urine
• Have severe pain when urinating
• Can’t pass urine

Occasionally, the bladder wall can have a perforation (tear), which may require further treatment and observation. Treatment usually involves keeping a catheter in place for a while so your bladder can heal, but in rare cases, more surgery might be needed.

How Many Times Can You Have TURBT for Bladder Cancer?

There’s no set limit to how many times a person can have a TURBT procedure. Some people need TURBT just once, whereas others — especially those with recurring (returning) tumors — may need it a few times over the years. However, repeated TURBT procedures raise the risk of bladder scarring. Your bladder might not be able to hold as much urine, which can lead to side effects such as frequent urination or incontinence (inability to control your urine).

Your healthcare team will make future treatment decisions based on multiple factors, including:

• How often your cancer comes back
• How big your tumors are and how deep they go
• Whether your tumors are high risk or low grade

TURBT remains one of the most useful tools for controlling NMIBC. This procedure can help control the cancer and avoid the need for more complex surgery, such as a radical cystectomy (bladder removal surgery).

Is More Therapy Needed After TURBT?

Even after a successful TURBT, bladder cancer can sometimes come back. That’s why many people receive adjuvant therapy — additional treatment after surgery to reduce the risk of the cancer returning. This is especially important for people with intermediate- or high-risk NMIBC.

Adjuvant therapy often goes straight into the bladder through a catheter, which is called intravesical therapy. Some people get just one dose of chemotherapy right after surgery. Others may need to receive weekly chemotherapy or immunotherapy for six weeks. These treatments target any remaining cancer cells and help prevent new tumors from forming.

Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan based on the type, size, and grade of your tumor. Some people get maintenance therapy for one to three years to keep the cancer from returning. This ongoing care is a key part of bladder cancer treatment and follow-up, and it’s an important part of staying healthy.

Work With Your Healthcare Team

TURBT is often just the first step in managing bladder cancer. Staying in close touch with your healthcare team helps ensure you get the right follow-up tests and treatments. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, bring up concerns, and stick to your checkup schedule. With ongoing care and support, many people continue to live active, healthy lives after TURBT.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyBladderCancerTeam is the social network for people with bladder cancer and their loved ones. On MyBladderCancerTeam, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with bladder cancer.

Have you or a loved one had a TURBT procedure? What was the experience like for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.