A prospective evaluation of second transurethral resection in non-muscle invasive bladder tumors

In this prospective study we evaluated the benefit of a second transurethral bladder resection (TURB) for Ta-T1 bladder carcinomas.

One hundred consecutive patients with superficial bladder tumor (Ta-T1) undergoing TURB and routine repeat TURB (Re-TURB) 4-6 weeks after the initial resection were included in the study. Re-TURB was applied to the scar of the first resection and other suspicious lesions in the bladder.

From January 2003 to December 2008 100 patients were enrolled onto the study (mean age 60 years). At the first TURB, 56 (56%) patients had multiple lesions and 44 (44%) had a solitary tumor. Re-TURB revealed histological residual tumors in 40 (40%) patients. Residual tumor was found in 40% of Ta and 40% of T1 disease and 29% of the tumors were found at initial site of resection. Re-TURB revealed residual tumor in 55% of patients with multiple tumors and only 20% of patients with a solitary bladder tumor.

These data suggest that tumor stage is not a good indicator to determine the necessity of Re-TURB in superficial bladder carcinomas. Routine Re-TURB is beneficial in Ta-T1 multiple bladder tumors.