Snapshot of transurethral resection of bladder tumours in the United Kingdom Audit (STUKA)

Objectives: To determine the quality of transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) in the UK. To evaluate the utility of a novel 'snapshot' methodology in carrying out national audits.

Patients and methods: Every consultant Urologist in the UK was asked to contribute details of their first patient with a new bladder cancer treated with TURBT after midnight of 31st January 2010. Responses were received from 192 consultants.

Results: The median (range) time from referral to first Urology appointment was 11 (0-161) days, and the median (range) time from first appointment to TURBT was 27 (1-588) days. In all, 12 (6.3%) patients underwent photodynamic diagnosis-assisted TURBT and 119 patients (61%) received a dose of Mitomycin C after TURBT. The rate of major complications was low, with five incidences (2.6%) of bladder perforation. There was no record of muscle present in resected specimens in 40 cases (20.8%) and resection was considered incomplete in 26 cases (13.5%). In all, 31 patients (16.1%) underwent early re-resection with residual tumour or carcinoma in situ detected in 17 cases, although no tumour was upstaged. Of the 37 patients classified with intermediate-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), there were nine recurrences (24.3%) at 3 months, and 13 recurrences (35.1%) at 1 year. Newly presenting MIBC managed with currently available treatments has a high mortality rate of 33.3% at 1 year.

Conclusions: The quality of TURBT in the UK is high. Areas for improvement include the timeliness of diagnosis and treatment, and improved care of patients with intermediate-risk NMIBC and MIBC. The 'snapshot' methodology is promising but widening participation is a priority.