Below the Belt Award

Recurrence after transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) is a significant clinical problem requiring close follow-up and retreatment. The re-implantation of tumour cells is postulated to be one mechanism of recurrence. A single instillation of chemotherapy agents (commonly Mitomycin) has been shown to be effective in reducing recurrence after TURBT. Nonetheless, practical barriers including availability of drug and nursing expertise mean that this remains under-utilised. There is some evidence that bladder irrigation, particularly using water, which can have an osmotic cytotoxic effect, may be as effective as post-TURBT chemotherapy. This study will determine the safety and feasibility of undertaking water irrigation during and after TURBT, with the aim of progressing to a larger randomised trial.