Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor (TURBT) at Asklepios Hospital Barmbek

At the Asklepios Hospital Barmbek in Hamburg, we provide the highest standard of surgical care for the diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer through transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). This procedure serves as the critical first step in managing bladder malignancies, acting as both a therapeutic intervention to remove visible tumors and a diagnostic tool to determine the exact stage and grade of the disease. Our Department of Urology is equipped with advanced imaging technologies that go beyond the capabilities of standard white-light cystoscopy, ensuring that even the smallest or most flat (CIS) lesions are identified and removed with meticulous precision. The surgical process is performed endoscopically through the natural urinary passage while the patient is under general or spinal anesthesia, meaning there are no external incisions or scars. A primary differentiator at Asklepios Barmbek is our frequent use of photodynamic diagnosis (PDD), often referred to as "Blue Light Cystoscopy. " Prior to the procedure, a special fluorescent agent is instilled into the bladder, which is absorbed preferentially by cancerous cells. Under a specific blue light, these malignant tissues glow bright red, allowing our surgeons to visualize and resect tumors that would otherwise remain invisible to the naked eye. This technology significantly reduces the risk of leaving cancerous tissue behind and lowers the overall recurrence rate. During the resection, the surgeon uses a high-definition resectoscope to carefully remove the tumor along with a safety margin of underlying bladder wall tissue. At Asklepios Barmbek, we prioritize the "En-bloc" resection technique when appropriate, which involves removing the tumor in one single piece rather than in fragments. This approach preserves the architecture of the tissue, providing our pathologists with a superior sample for analysis and preventing the scattering of cancer cells within the bladder. Once the tumor is removed, the area is cauterized to prevent bleeding, and in many cases, a single dose of intravesical chemotherapy is administered immediately after the surgery to neutralize any remaining floating cells. Post-operative recovery is typically rapid and well-tolerated. Patients remain in our inpatient care for approximately two to three days to ensure the bladder heals correctly and that there is no significant bleeding. A urinary catheter is usually placed at the end of the procedure to allow the bladder to rest and is typically removed within twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Most patients experience only minor temporary discomfort, such as a slight burning sensation during urination or a frequent urge to void, which resolves quickly as the bladder lining regenerates. By combining pioneering optical technology with refined surgical techniques, the urology team at Asklepios Barmbek provides a comprehensive foundation for bladder cancer treatment. Whether the goal is the definitive removal of a superficial tumor or the gathering of vital data for a complex treatment plan, our focus remains on oncological thoroughness and the preservation of bladder function.