Transurethral Resecion

Transurethal Resection (TUR) is the less extreme type of bladder surgery. Cancer tissue is removed from the bladder.

• It is performed under general or local anesthesia and does not involve opening up the abdomen. A cystoscope is inserted into the bladder through the urethra or shaft of the penis.
• A wire loop is inserted through the tube and is used to remove cancerous cells from the bladder.
• TUR bladder surgery in combination with radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be used to treat early stage bladder cancer patients.

Patients who have undergone TUR may develop mild complications like urination difficulty or pain during the recovery period after surgery. After TUR, patients may need to stay overnight. They recover normal urinary function within two weeks. In cases where cancer cells remain or relapse, the procedure can be repeated a number of times, but repeated attempts put patients at risk in damaging the bladder and its ability to hold urine.