Treatment timeline TULA

Hi George71 . Never had a TULA but we have seen many on here over the years. It is a short simple procedure as opposed to a full blown TURBT. Hopefully someone with experience will be along to share personal experiences. Best wishes.

Hi George - I have separately posted my experience where a tiny 5mm recurrence was diagnosed and was actually listed for TULA. I protested and demanded a proper TURBT under GA, which is just as well because the histology has shown this to be a benign side effect of BCG which looks remarkably like a recurrence. I personally think, TULA should be abolished until such time as there are technological improvements which enable Excision Biopsy under Flexible sigmoidoscope. For those on BCG, it is vital that we have histology of the lesion. If it is a high grade dysplasia, then obviously it is failure of BCG and alternatives should be offered. If not, as in my case, then BCG can continue. 

Thank you for your reply Madmax, If anything is found Iwill ask for a proper biopsy. None of the risks were highlighted to me, only that the wait for TURBT and will potentially delay BCG 7.  I was also told my case is no longer renewed in the MDT.

Hello George, I remembered seeing your post and wondered how the TULA treatment went or whether you were given other options in the end?

Today, I have received an appointment for a TULA procedure on 16th November 2026. The recommendation for a TULA rather than a TURBT resulted from consideration of my heart problem (mitral valve regurgitation) as the TULA presents fewer significant risks in my case. I was unable to have chemo or BCG when my bladder cancer was diagnosed in 2017. My treatment for a 7cm non-muscle invasive lesion which was causing excessive blood loss, was radiotherapy in late 2017 (medium dose, 2 weeks, palliative) then two emergency TURBTs the following year. The radiotherapy destroyed 95% of the lesion, leaving somewhat inflexible scar tissue. The TURBTs mopped up remaining bits of tumour which were causing  increasing rates of blood loss, needing many transfusions to stop me emptying. Haematuria episodes have increased in frequency particularly during the last couple of years, hence a recent review of my palliative, symptom driven treatment to see what could be done. I have had a Foley urethral catheter continuously since late 2018, replaced every 8-12 weeks. The TULA treatment was the safest option for my situation. TULA procedures have improved since 2019. This is the case for nearly all treatment protocols. The internet is getting better but still often brings up out of date information. Best wishes for whichever way your treatment has been steered.