Two-step transurethral resection of bladder tumor can result in a better surgical quality and lower recurrence in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: a retrospective study

Background Current protocols for transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) are still unstandardized, and outcomes are also uneven in different protocols. In our medical center, we performed two-step TURBT that the resection of bladder tumor is made in two steps- exophytic parts first and tumor bases second. The purpose is to improve tumor eradication and increase detrusor muscle sampling rates. The aim of current study is to evaluate clinical outcomes and detrusor muscle sampling rate of two-step TURBT in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Methods We conducted a retrospective review from a prospective database. From January 2012 to December 2017, patients who had newly diagnosed NMIBC with a follow-up period of more than 2 years were enrolled. Patients with concomitant or subsequent upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) were excluded. Patients were categorized into the two-step TURBT (TR) and the conventional TURBT (CR) groups. The primary endpoints were recurrence and progression rates. The secondary endpoints were recurrence-free survival (RFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and the detrusor muscle sampling rate. Results There were 205 patients included in our study, with 151 patients in the TR group and 54 patients in the CR group. The median follow-up period was 40.5 months. There were lower recurrence rate ( P = 0.015), higher detrusor muscle sampling rate ( P = 0.043), and better RFS (Log-Rank P= 0.007) in the TR group. Two-step TURBT was also associated with better RFS in both univariate ( P =0.009) and multivariate ( P =0.003) Cox proportional hazards regression. Conclusions In patients with NMIBC, Two-step TURBT results in higher detrusor muscle sampling rate and better disease outcomes. The findings suggest that Two-step TURBT is a better surgical method for treating NMIBC.