Photo Credit: iStock.com/ALIOUI Mohammed Elamine

Second-look TURBT showed limited value in altering outcomes for high-grade Ta bladder cancer after complete resection. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study published in the June 2025 issue of World Journal of Urology to evaluate the prognostic impact of restaging transurethral resection (TURBT) in individuals with high-grade (HG) Ta bladder cancer that was completely resected during the initial procedure.  

They assessed individuals with HG Ta bladder cancer. Those with a prior history of urothelial carcinoma ≥HG Ta, visibly incomplete resection, or missing detrusor muscle in the resected specimen were excluded. The surgeon determined the choice to perform restaging TURBT. Adjuvant treatment and follow-up were carried out according to established clinical guidelines.  

The results showed that 181 individuals were identified, with 111 included in the survival analysis. Restaging TURBT was more common among those with multifocal lesions and those who received adjuvant therapy. Individuals who had only TURBT more often had a history of low-grade Ta tumors. The median interval to restaging TURBT was 49 days. Residual tumors were found in 36.4%, and 4.6% were staged as pT1. Restaging TURBT did not affect the RFS. Multivariate analysis showed that PDD (hazard ratio = 0.3, P= 0.03) and adjuvant therapy (hazard ratio = 0.5, P< 0.01) were linked to lower recurrence risk, PFS was not significantly impacted by restaging TURBT.  

Investigators concluded that restaging TURBT did not alter the risk of recurrence or progression in individuals with HG Ta bladder cancer after completing initial resection, aligning with recent guideline updates. 

Source: link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00345-025-05778-z