Treat Bladder Tumor with TULA - Laser Therapy

New Opportunities in Bladder Tumors with TULA - Laser Therapy

Interview with Dr. Stephan Tauber

Dr. Stephan Tauber is a urologist and has been practicing for over 20 years. Together with his colleague Dr. Maryam Aalamian-Mattheis, he founded the urological center "AMCURO" in Hamburg in 2021, where he uses the TULA® - Laser Therapy for bladder tumors, among other treatments.

Why did you choose the field of urology?

Bladder tumors are among the second most common tumors of the urinary tract. Due to increasing life expectancy and our living conditions, the importance of this disease is growing. Since the bladder is a well-accessible hollow organ, it is suitable for local treatments, which facilitates access for minimally invasive therapies. 

How common is bladder cancer and what is the prognosis?

According to Dr. Tauber, bladder tumors occur in about 20 out of 100,000 people. In many cases, the tumor is limited to the superficial mucosal layers of the bladder. Then the chances of cure are predominantly very good (over 80%), although the recurrence rate is about 50% of cases. 

What are the classic treatment options for the diagnosis?

As a standard, the tumor is first removed during cystoscopy, which simultaneously allows for diagnosis and assessment of its aggressiveness. This step is important for determining further therapy. 

What makes the TULA®-Laser Therapy special? For which patients is it suitable?

Dr. Tauber explains that the TULA®-Laser Therapy opens up new possibilities because it can be performed on an outpatient basis and often without general anesthesia. The portable and easy-to-use device allows for small tumors to be treated safely right after diagnosis, as the laser seals blood vessels and bleeding is rare.

Why do you use laser therapy in your practice?

“Laser therapy allows bladder tumors to be treated gently and safely,” explains Dr. Tauber. In his practice, samples for histology are taken with special forceps, and the tumor area is then treated with the laser.

Is the TULA®-Laser Therapy also suitable for recurrences?

Bladder tumors show high recurrence rates (40–60%), which is partly due to tumor biology and multifocal growth. Dr. Tauber emphasizes that the laser can treat suspicious mucosal areas early, which should help reduce recurrences.

What happens after the treatment?

The further procedure depends on the fine tissue (histological) examinations. Regardless, close follow-up examinations are necessary to detect and treat a recurrence in a timely manner.