Recent advances in transurethral resection of bladder tumors

Abstract

Transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) is a standard procedure in bladder cancer management. TURBT has two main goals: to resect completely all the tumor lesions in healthy tissues and to provide high-quality specimen to facilitate accurate diagnosis. To achieve these goals, urologists make use of several options to maximize the efficiency of the procedure. To make tumor detection as effective as possible, the European Association of Urology guidelines recommend using enhanced visualization methods such as photodynamic diagnostics (PDD) and narrow-band imaging (NBI). Novel en bloc technique enables one to provide specimens of a higher quality and to increase recurrence-free survival. Also, the use of new energy sources such as lasers helps to decrease bleeding and prevent several complications after TURBT, e.g., obturator nerve reflex and bladder perforation. This article summarizes the options available to enhance the TURBT procedure and reports on the latest data on their feasibility for clinical practice.