Page 2 - Bladder Tumour

Bladder tumour

This operation is performed with an instrument called Follow-up after a bladder tumour
a resectoscope, passed into the bladder through
the urethra. No skin incision is required. The bladder resection
tumour is scraped away and removed in small pieces.
Bleeding is controlled with cautery by electric current. The tissue removed at surgery will be carefully
The entire procedure usually takes no more than 90 examined and a detailed report will be available to
minutes. your urologist. It will be important to review the type of
tumour that was removed as well as its aggressiveness
At the end of the operation, a catheter (drainage (tumour grade) and whether it has invaded through
tube) may be placed into the bladder through the the lining of the bladder (tumour stage). Additional
urethra. A water solution may be used to flush the investigations are often carried out to determine the
bladder to wash out any blood in which case you extent of the tumour.
may remain in hospital for a day or two. Your doctor
may prescribe a chemotherapy drug to be placed in Most bladder tumours are confined to the bladder
your bladder soon afterwards in order to decrease lining or superficial. Even these superficial tumours
the chance of the tumour coming back. however have a tendency to recur. It will be
important to monitor your bladder closely with regular
After your surgery bladder inspections (surveillance cystoscopy). The
frequency of these check-ups will be outlined by your
urologist.
The catheter may be left in place for up to two days
until the urine is fairly clear. When you are voiding In some cases your urologist may recommend
satisfactorily, you will be discharged, usually about additional treatments in order to decrease the
one to three days after your operation. In some cases, chance of tumour recurrence. These treatments
you may be discharged on the day of surgery. Most may involve placing a drug directly into the bladder
patients should be able to resume usual activities and through a small catheter. Effective medications for
return to work in a few weeks. such treatment include BCG and mitomycin.

The raw area in the bladder lining remaining after Occasionally, more aggressive tumours may invade
such a scraping will heal over, initially with a scab and, into the muscle of the bladder wall or spread
eventually, with normal lining tissue. It is not unusual to to other parts of the body. This requires more
have increased frequency and urgency of urination intensive investigation and treatment, which may
for a few weeks after bladder tumour resection. There include surgery (removal of the entire bladder),
may also be some burning with urination. There may chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
be a bit of blood visible in the urine for a few weeks
after bladder tumour resection. Occasionally, a few
blood clots may be seen, particularly after about two Conclusion
to four weeks when the scab comes away.
Bladder tumours are common and often well
controlled with regular and ongoing follow-up.

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