Is Repeat Transurethral Resection Effective and Necessary in Patients with T1 Bladder Carcinoma?

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the efficacy and necessity of repeat transurethral resection (Re-TUR) in T1 bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From September 2004 to September 2009, 62 patients with pathologically confirmed T1 bladder tumours were investigated. Re-TUR was routinely performed within 3-6 weeks following the initial resection. The pathological results of the Re-TUR were reviewed, and the risk of recurrence was investigated. RESULTS: Of the 62 patients who underwent Re-TUR, 22 had a residual tumour pathologically. Visible residual tumours were detected in 9 patients (14.5%). The risk of having a residual tumour was directly correlated with the diameter of the initial tumour in T1 tumours (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Upstaging to T2 of the disease led to radical cystectomy in 11.29% of the patients in our series. Re-TUR should be routinely performed on all patients, especially on patients with high-grade tumours and with tumour diameters greater than 3 cm in T1 bladder cancer.