En bloc resection of bladder tumor: Is it the way forward?

Author(s)Jeremy Teoh, MBBS, FRCSEd (Urol), FCSHK, FHKAM (Surgery)

Fact checked by: Benjamin P. Saylor, Strategic Content Lead

"As urologists, we are the gatekeepers, and we must always perform the best possible surgery to optimize oncological outcomes," writes Jeremy Teoh, MBBS, FRCSEd (Urol), FCSHK, FHKAM (Surgery).

More than 2 centuries ago, Philipp Bozzini invented the Lichtleiter, allowing urologists to visualize what is inside the bladder.¹ About 1 century ago, Maximilian Stern invented the first resectoscope, which allows us to remove a bladder tumor with electrocautery.² These 2 crucial elements empowered urologists to perform transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), a highly revolutionary approach given the limited resources that urologists had at that time.