Pyuria as an independent predictor of intravesical recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma

PURPOSE

About one-third of patients who undergo radical nephroureterectomy (RNUx) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) experience intravesical recurrence (IVR). This study investigated whether pyuria is a feasible predictor of IVR after RNUx in patients with UTUC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seven hundred forty-three patients with UTUC who underwent RNUx at a single institute were analyzed in this study. The participants were divided into two groups: those without pyuria (non-pyuria) and those with pyuria. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed, and p-values were assessed using the log-rank test. Cox regression analyses were performed to identify the independent predictors of survival.

RESULTS

The pyuria group had a shorter IVR-free survival period (p=0.009). The five-year IVR-free survival rate was 60.0% in the non-pyuria group vs. 49.7% in the pyuria group according to the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. After the multivariate Cox regression analysis, pyuria (hazard ratio [HR]=1.368; p=0.041), a concurrent bladder tumor (HR=1.757; p=0.005), preoperative ureteroscopy (HR=1.476; p=0.013), laparoscopic surgery (HR=0.682; p=0.048), tumor multiplicity (HR=1.855; p=0.007), and a larger tumor (HR=1.041; p=0.050) were predictors of risk for IVR. There was no association between pyuria and recurrence-free survival (p=0.057) or cancer-specific survival (p=0.519) in the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study concluded that pyuria was an independent predictor of IVR in patients with UTUC after RNUx.

Renal function change after radical cystectomy for urothelial carcinoma patients with a solitary kidney may be independent of urinary diversion type

PURPOSE

To compare renal function change by urinary diversion (UD) type (ileal conduit [IC] vs. neobladder [NB]) in patients with a single kidney who underwent radical cystectomy (RC) due to bladder cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated the renal function change in 86 patients with a single kidney who underwent RC between January 1999 and August 2022. Renal function was assessed using serum creatinine, serum estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), eGFR difference value (preoperative and follow-up values), and eGFR difference proportion (eGFR difference value/preoperative eGFR) at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months. In addition, multiple definitions of eGFR decline were evaluated: 10 points, 10%, and 20% decline in eGFR. Cox regression models were used to identify risk factors of eGFR decline-free, recurrence-free, overall, and cancer-specific survival rates.

RESULTS

A total of 54 patients (62.8%) underwent IC, whereas 32 (37.2%) underwent NB. Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups except for age and body mass index. Renal functions over time by various methods did not differ significantly between the IC and NB groups. Furthermore, eGFR decline-free survival rate using different definitions was similar between the IC and NB groups. Overall survival, recurrence-free survival, and cancer-specific-free survival rates were not different between the IC and NB groups.

CONCLUSIONS

UD type (IC vs. NB) did not impact the renal function change of patients with a single kidney who underwent RC. Therefore, patients with a single kidney might be considered to be an indication of NB.

Clinical Implication of Preoperative Renal Function on Oncological Outcomes in Patients with Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma after Radical Nephroureterectomy

This study aims to evaluate the impact of preoperative renal function on oncological outcomes in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) who underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent RNU between 2000 and 2012 at six academic centers. The patients were stratified into two groups based on preoperative renal function: eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (chronic kidney disease; CKD) and eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (non-CKD). We investigated oncological outcomes, including overall survival, cancer-specific survival, and progression-free survival dichotomized by preoperative renal function. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine if preoperative CKD was associated with oncological outcomes. In total, 1733 patients were eligible for the present study (CKD = 707 and non-CKD = 1026). Significant differences were noted in the clinical and pathologic features among the two groups, including age, sex, tumor localization, pathological T stage, tumor grade, and number of patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy. The estimated five-year overall survival (79.4 vs. 67.5%, log-rank p < 0.001), cancer-specific survival (83.5 vs. 73.6%, log-rank p < 0.001), and progression-free survival (74.6 vs. 61.5%, log-rank p < 0.001) were significantly different between the two groups, longer in the non-CKD group. Upon multivariable analysis, preoperative CKD status was associated with increased risk of overall mortality, cancer-specific mortality, and progression (p = 0.010, p = 0.016, and p = 0.008, respectively). UTUC patients with preoperative CKD had a higher risk of poor overall survival, cancer-specific survival, and progression-free survival after RNU than those without CKD.

Comparison of functional and oncological outcomes between uterus-sparing radical cystectomy and standard radical cystectomy in females: A retrospective study

PURPOSE

This study aimed to compare the functional and oncological outcomes of females who underwent uterus-sparing radical cystectomy (USRC) and standard radical cystectomy (SRC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between February 2009 and December 2020, 90 female patients who underwent radical cystectomy with urinary diversion were included in this study, comprising the USRC and SRC groups. Functional outcomes were assessed in 63 patients who only underwent radical cystectomy with neobladder formation. Questionnaire scores, clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) rate, and urinary continence rate were analyzed. Oncological outcomes were assessed in 86 patients, regardless of the urinary diversion type. Overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were compared.

RESULTS

CIC rate was significantly lower in the USRC group than in the SRC group (14.7% vs. 48.0%; p=0.005). The continence rate was significantly higher in the USRC group than in the SRC group (85.3% vs. 40.0%; p=0.001). There were no significant differences in OS (p=0.890), CSS (p=0.700), or RFS (p=0.270) between the two groups. In multivariate analysis, uterine preservation did not significantly increase the hazard ratio (HR) of OS (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.18-2.11; p=0.450), CSS (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.22-4.40; p=0.990), or RFS (HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.19-1.11; p=0.840).

CONCLUSIONS

USRC resulted in higher continence rates and lower CIC rates than SRC without negatively affecting oncological outcomes. Hence, with thorough deliberation, USRC should be considered for females undergoing radical cystectomy.

Acidic Urine Is Associated With Poor Prognosis of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma

PURPOSE

To assess the prognostic role of acidic urine (low urine pH) in upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed patients enrolled in Seoul National University Prospectively Enrolled Registry for Urothelial Cancer-Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer (SUPER-UC-UTUC) who underwent surgical resection from March 2016 to December 2020 in Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH). Patients with non-urothelial cancer or those who are in condition at end-stage renal disease were excluded. Acidic urine was defined as urine pH ≤ 5.5.

RESULTS

A total of 293 patients with a mean age of 70.7 ± 9.5 years were enrolled in this study. Pre-operative laboratory results showed a mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 64.1 ± 19.2 mL/min/1.73m2 and a mean urine pH of 5.86 ± 0.66. Patients were subdivided into low (pH ≤ 5.5) and high (pH > 5.5) urine pH for comparison. As a result, all variables were comparable except for the T stage, which was significantly higher in the low urine pH group (p = 0.017). Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the clinical impact of acidic urine on patient survival. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that tumor multifocality (HR 2.07, p = 0.015), higher T stage (HR 1.54, p = 0.036), lymphovascular invasion (HR 1.69, p = 0.033), eGFR < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 (HR 1.56, p = 0.017), and acidic urine (HR 1.63, p < 0.01) independently decreased disease-free survival (DFS), while multifocality (HR 9.50, p < 0.01), higher T stage (HR 9.51, p = 0.001) and acidic urine (HR 10.36, p = 0.004) independently reduced the overall survival (OS).

CONCLUSIONS

Acidic urine is independently associated with reduced DFS and OS in UTUC. Acidic urine contributing to acidic environment may promote acquisition of agressive behavior of UTUC.

Evaluating the efficacy of secondary transurethral resection of the bladder for high-grade Ta tumors

PURPOSE

The need for secondary transurethral resection of the bladder (re-TURB) in patients with high-grade Ta tumors has not been assessed. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of patients with high-grade Ta tumors who did and did not undergo re-TURB.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study used data from the Seoul National University Prospectively Enrolled Registry for Urothelial Cancer-Transurethral Bladder Tumor Resection (SUPER-UC-TURB). Patients with high-grade Ta tumors who underwent TURB between March 2016 and December 2019 were included. Following the initial TURB, if the pathology results showed a tumor grade higher than high-grade Ta, re-TURB was performed according to the surgeon's recommendation. The recurrence-free survival rate was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression analysis between patients who did and did not undergo re-TURB.

RESULTS

In total, 187 patients with high-grade Ta who underwent initial TURB were included, of whom 115 underwent re-TURB and 72 did not. Patients in the re-TURB group had a significantly higher 2-year recurrence-free survival rate than did those in the no re-TURB group (81.3% vs. 60.1%; p=0.005). Whether patients underwent re-TURB was a significant predictor of the risk of bladder cancer recurrence in both the univariate (HR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.27-0.98; p=0.044) and multivariate (HR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.19-0.97; p=0.041) analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk for bladder cancer recurrence was increased, and the 2-year recurrence-free survival was significantly decreased, in patients with high-grade Ta tumors who did not undergo re-TURB. Thus, re-TURB is beneficial in patients with high-grade Ta bladder cancer.

Clinical determinants of recurrence in pTa bladder cancer following transurethral resection of bladder tumor

BACKGROUND

Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer can be controlled by transurethral resection of bladder (TURB), but suffers from frequent recurrences in 60-70% of cases. Although, recurrence interval after TURB influences treatment course and prognosis, its implication and risk factors have not been fully elucidated. We evaluated the risk factors of early (within 1 yr) and late (after 1 yr) recurrence of pTa bladder cancer and clinical significance of recurrence interval on disease progression and overall survival.

METHODS

In this study, pTa bladder cancer patients enrolled in prospective patient registry system of Seoul National University, SUPER-UC, were retrospectively examined to determine the clinical risk factors for recurrence and its significance regarding to recurrence interval. A total of 1067 bladder cancer patients who underwent TURB between March 20 and June 2021 were included and classified into three groups of no recurrence, early, or late recurrence to be comparatively analyzed.

RESULTS

Early recurrence was associated with poorer cystectomy-free survival and overall survival than late recurrence. Risk factors for early recurrence included a high number of previous TURB, tumor multiplicity, tumor location, tumor shape, incompleteness of TURB, and high tumor grade. Otherwise, late recurrence was associated with low-grade tumors with insufficient TURB depth.

CONCLUSION

Patients with risk factors for early recurrence should be closely followed up with special cautions.

Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, cancer antigen 125, and carcinoembryonic antigen as prognostic and predictive biological markers in bladder cancer

INTRODUCTION

We evaluated the prognostic potential of the Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG), Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), Cancer Antigen 125 (CA125), and Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) tumor markers for bladder cancer.

METHODS

We analyzed the records of 369 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for urothelial cancer (UC) between October 2012 until December 2019. Levels of CA19-9, CA125, CEA, and β-hCG before radical cystectomy were measured in all patient samples, and serum biomarker cutoff values were used as normal and elevated values.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The proportion of abnormal β-hCG (P<0.001), CA19-9 (P<0.001), and CA125 (P=0.033) was significantly higher in locally advanced bladder UC than in organ-confined bladder UC. In patients with preoperative β-hCG and CA125 abnormality, there was poor prognosis of recurrence-free survival (RFS)(P=0.003, P=0.042) and overall survival (OS) (P=0.003, P=0.002). Using the Cox multivariate regression analysis, both β-hCG (HR: 3.88, 95% CI: 1.43-10.25) and CA125 (HR: 6.21, 95% CI: 1.34-32.16) were found to be significant independent factors for predicting OS and RFS. In addition, patients with a high number of increased tumor markers showed significantly worse OS ((P<0.001) and RFS (P=0.002) than patients with a low number of increased tumor markers. In conclusion, serum β-hCG and CA125 levels could potentially be used for UC prognosis in patients undergoing radical cystectomy. To assess their usefulness in evaluating long-term recurrence and survival, further treatment responses and large-scale additional studies are needed.

Gender-related outcomes in robot-assisted radical cystectomy: A multi-institutional study

PURPOSE

Robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) optimizes patient recovery and has outcomes comparable with those of open surgery. This study aimed to compare the perioperative and oncologic outcomes of RARC in female and male patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of the Korean Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy Study Group database from 2007 to 2019 identified 749 patients (111 females and 638 males). Female were matched 1:1 to male by propensity score matching using a logistic regression. We compared perioperative outcomes, oncologic outcomes, and complications between the two groups.

RESULTS

The female group had comparable perioperative outcomes to the male group in terms of operation time, lymph node yield, positive surgical margin, blood transfusion rate, and hospitalization days. Complication rate and grade were not significantly different between the two groups. The most common complication was infection in female and gastrointestinal complications in male. We compared the 5-year overall, disease-specific, and recurrence-free survival of female and male: 58.2% vs. 68.0% (p=0.495), 75.7% vs. 79.3% (p=0.645), and 40.8% vs. 53.5% (p=0.913), respectively. On multivariable analysis, T stage (>T2), postoperative complications, and positive surgical margin were prognostic factors of poor outcome. Sex was not an independent predictor of the three survivals.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study suggests that RARC in female has comparable perioperative and oncologic outcomes to those in male. The complication rate of RARC in female was comparable to that in male, but the type of complications differed by sex.

High Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 Levels Indicate Poor Prognosis of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) occurs in urothelial cells from the kidney and the ureters. Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) is a tumor marker for pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers, and its high levels are associated with poor prognosis in bladder cancer. In this study, prospective patients enrolled in the registry of Seoul National University were retrospectively examined to determine the clinical significance of CA 19-9 in UTUC. In 227 patients, high serum CA 19-9 levels reflected a high tumor burden represented by high T and N stages, leading to adverse prognosis in metastasis-free or overall survival. Subsequently, propensity score matching analysis showed that the CA 19-9 level is an independent prognostic factor of UTUC.

Prognostic impact of postoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on survival outcomes of patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma: a single institution retrospective analysis using propensity score matching

Purpose: To investigate the prognostic impact of postoperative neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on survival outcomes in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Materials and methods: Data from 397 patients with UTUC who underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) without a history of neoadjuvant chemotherapy between 2002 and 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on a postoperative NLR cut-off of 3, patients were divided into low NLR (<3) or high NLR (≥ 3) groups. After 2:1 propensity score matching, a Kaplan-Meier with log-rank test was used to compare survival outcomes between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to investigate the impact of the postoperative NLR on survival outcomes. Results: The matched cohort (n=176) consisted of 116 low NLR and 60 high NLR patients. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed significant differences in the 3- and 5-year overall and cancer-specific survival rates between the two groups (each p = 0.03). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that a postoperative high NLR was an independent predictor of worse overall survival (hazard ratio [HR]:2.13; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.18-3.85, p = 0.012) and cancer-specific survival (HR:2.16; 95% CI 1.11-4.21, p = 0.024). Conclusions: Propensity score matching analysis revealed postoperative high NLR can be considered a potential inflammatory biomarker for predicting survival outcomes of UTUC patients treated with RNU.