ROLE OF RETURBT IN TA BLADDER TUMOURS OUR EXPERIENCE IN TERTIARY HEALTH CARE.

Background: Bladder cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed malignancies of the urinary tract, with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) constituting nearly 75% of all cases. Among these, Ta bladder tumors represent a subset confined to the urothelium without lamina propria invasion. While transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) is the primary diagnostic and therapeutic modality, studies indicate a substantial risk of residual tumor presence after initial resection. Re-TURBT (repeat TURBT) has been advocated to ensure complete tumor removal, improve staging accuracy, and reduce recurrence rates. However, its necessity in Ta tumors remains a topic of debate, particularly in resource-limited settings.  Aim:  This study aims to evaluate the role of re-TURBT in Ta bladder tumors at Hamdard Institute Of Medical Sciences, New Delhi , by analyzing its impact on residual tumor detection, pathological upstaging, recurrence rates, and treatment modifications.   Methods:  A prospective study was conducted in the department of surgery at Hamdard Institute Of Medical Sciences, New Delhi from Dec 2023 to Jan 2025. A total of 120 patients with newly diagnosed Ta bladder tumors were included. All patients underwent an initial TURBT, followed by a scheduled re-TURBT within 4–6 weeks. Histopathological outcomes, presence of residual disease, upstaging rates, and recurrence patterns were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, with p-values <0.05 considered significant.   Results:  Re-TURBT identified residual tumor in 38% of cases, with 12% demonstrating pathological upstaging to T1. The recurrence rate at 12 months was 24% in the re-TURBT group compared to 41% in patients who did not undergo repeat resection. No significant increase in perioperative complications was noted. These findings suggest that re-TURBT contributes to better disease control and risk stratification in Ta bladder tumors.   Conclusion:   Re-TURBT plays a crucial role in the management of Ta bladder tumors, significantly reducing recurrence and enabling more accurate staging. These results support the integration of re-TURBT into routine NMIBC management, particularly in cases with high-risk features. Further long-term studies are needed to assess its impact on overall survival and disease progression.