Conservative surgery for transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis

Minimally invasive approach in the management of upper- urinary-tract tumours

OBJECTIVE

Nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision has been the gold standard treatment for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma (UTTCC) for more than 60 years. However, endoscopic treatment of urothelial tumours of renal pelvis and ureter is gaining acceptance as a conservative treatment modality.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A review in the English language of the Medline and Pub Med databases was performed using the keywords upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma and endoscopic management. There was a particular emphasis on treatment outcomes from published series.

RESULTS

Endoscopic treatment of UTTCC alone for high-grade tumours is not advised owing to high rates of both local recurrence and disease progression, while many authors do not recommend primary endoscopic management of UTTCC in elective situations if pathological analysis and tumour grade cannot be obtained.

CONCLUSION

Endourological management of UTTCC has become an accepted treatment option in highly selected patients, provided long-term close surveillance to detect and treat recurrences is ensured.

Conservative management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma

Aim

Our aim was to review the current literature describing the endoscopic management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).

Materials and Methods

Review of published, peer-reviewed articles relating the primary ureteroscopic or percutaneous management of upper tract TCC was performed using the MEDLINE database.

Results

Historically, the gold-standard management for upper tract TCC consists of nephroureterectomy with excision of a bladder cuff. The employment of endoscopic management with these neoplasms was initially instituted in individuals with imperative indications, including bilateral disease, solitary kidney, and/or renal insufficiency. For individuals treated with ureteroscopy, recurrence rates range from 30 to 71% and cancer-specific survival rates from 50 to 93%. Results are dependent primarily on tumor grade and stage. In individuals with low-stage, low-grade tumors treated percutaneously, recurrence rates, and cancer-specific survival rates are 18-33% and 94-100%, respectively. Adjuvant therapy has been employed with thiotepa, mitomycin, and BCG, but none have been able to demonstrate a statistically significant difference in recurrence or cancer-specific survival rates.

Conclusions

Endoscopic management is a safe and effective treatment alternative to nephroureterectomy in the management of upper tract TCC. Survival outcomes are comparable, but renal preservation therapy offers the advantage of reduced morbidity, complications, and the potential for better quality of life. Recurrence and disease progression are not uncommon and underscore the need for strict tumor surveillance.

Initial clinical experience with use of ureteral access sheaths in the diagnosis and treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To describe our experience with ureteral access sheaths in the diagnosis and treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified a patient cohort who underwent ureteroscopy for suspicion of upper tract urothelial carcinoma and identified those with placement of a ureteral access sheath. Records were reviewed for demographic information, comorbidity data, operative complications, and pathology results. The histologic grade of ureteroscopic biopsies and nephroureterectomy specimens were evaluated for concordance.

RESULTS

A total of 125 patients underwent 235 procedures for known or suspected upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Access sheaths were used in patients in whom significant urothelial lesions were noted in the proximal upper urinary tract. A total of 64 patients underwent 85 sheath-inclusive procedures. Sheath deployment was successful in 83 (97.6%) of the 85 procedures. Biopsies yielded specimen adequate for histopathologic diagnosis in 75 (90.4%) of 83 cases. No ureteral access sheath-related complications were noted. Of the 125 patients, 34 underwent removal of 35 renal units. The concordance of tumor grade between biopsy and nephroureterectomy specimens was 88.6% (P=.0002).

CONCLUSION

Ureteral access sheaths are safe for use in the diagnosis and treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Sheath placement facilitated the acquisition of multiple biopsy specimens adequate for histopathologic evaluation. Our technique precluded the need for repeat ureteroscopy to establish a diagnosis. Biopsies obtained through an access sheath were highly predictive of tumor grade in nephroureterectomy specimens.

Correlation of upper-tract cytology, retrograde pyelography, ureteroscopic appearance, and ureteroscopic biopsy with histologic examination of upper-tract transitional cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

To determine the accuracy of radiographic studies, ureteroscopy, biopsy, and cytology in predicting the histopathology of upper-tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 1998 to 2006, 46 upper-tract lesions were diagnosed ureteroscopically and underwent nephroureterectomy, and 30 of them were subjected to direct ureteroscopic inspection and biopsy. Fresh samples were delivered to the cytopathology laboratory and histology samples were prepared whenever visible tissue was present. Radiological, ureteroscopic, cytology, and biopsy data were compared to the actual grades and stages of these 30 surgical specimens.

RESULTS

Retrograde ureteropyelography was suggestive of malignancy in 29 of 30 cases, but did not predict the grade or stage accurately. Cytology was positive for malignancy in 21 of 30 cases (70%). Grading of ureteroscopic specimens was possible in all cases. At nephroureterectomy two cases were found to have no tumor (T(0)). Of the remaining 28 cases, the biopsy grade proved to be identical in 21 (75%). Grade 1 or 2 ureteroscopic specimens had a low-stage (T(0), T(a), or T(1)) tumor in 17 of 25 (68%); in contrast, 3 of 5 (60%) high-grade specimens had invasive tumor (T(2) or T(3)). For patients with grade 2 ureteroscopic specimens, combining exfoliated cell cytology and biopsy grade improved the accuracy in predicting high-stage and high-grade disease.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms previous findings that ureteroscopic inspection and biopsy provides accurate information regarding the grade and stage of upper-tract TCC. Combining exfoliated cell cytology improves the predictive power of biopsy grade 2 disease for high-risk specimen grade and stage. Our data suggest that ureteroscopic findings may predict muscle invasion.

Office-based surveillance ureteroscopy after endoscopic treatment of transitional cell carcinoma: technique and clinical outcome

OBJECTIVES

The reference standard treatment for transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the upper tract remains nephroureterectomy. However, with improvements in endoscopic technology and techniques, endoscopic ablation of upper tract TCC has become a reality for highly selected patients. We report our present technique and 16-year experience of office-based ureteroscopy for surveillance of TCC after initial endoscopic ablation.

METHODS

The office and hospital records of all patients undergoing office-based anesthesia-free ureteroscopy were retrospectively reviewed. The patient characteristics, tumor characteristics, ureteroscopic technique and findings, and complications were documented.

RESULTS

Ten patients with a mean age of 68.8 years were treated with endoscopic ablation of upper tract TCC. A total of 67 (range 1 to 19 per patient) surveillance ureteroscopies in the office setting were performed. Office ureteroscopy revealed seven upper tract TCC recurrences in 5 patients. A thorough ureteroscopic examination in the operating room of these patients revealed that only 1 patient had more extensive disease than was recognized during the office-based ureteroscopy. All patients tolerated office-based ureteroscopy well, and each procedure was successfully completed with minimal patient discomfort. No acute complications were noted. One patient who experienced multiple recurrences and underwent ablation of extensive ureteral TCC developed a benign ureteral stricture.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study have shown that for the rare patient undergoing endoscopic management of upper tract TCC, office-based anesthesia-free ureteroscopic surveillance is a reasonable management strategy. The technique has been free of complications and appears to be as accurate as surveillance ureteroscopy performed in the operating room.

Management of patients with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma

Multiple therapeutic options are available for the management of patients with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). Radical nephroureterectomy with an ipsilateral bladder cuff is the gold-standard therapy for upper-tract cancers. However, less invasive alternatives have a role in the treatment of this disease. Endoscopic management of upper-tract TCC is a reasonable strategy for patients with anatomic or functional solitary kidneys, bilateral upper-tract TCC, baseline renal insufficiency, and significant comorbid diseases. Select patients with a normal contralateral kidney who have small, low-grade lesions might also be candidates for endoscopic ablation. Distal ureterectomy is an option for patients with high-grade, invasive, or bulky tumors of the distal ureter not amenable to endoscopic management. In appropriately selected patients, outcomes following distal ureterectomy are similar to that of radical nephroureterectomy. Bladder cancer is a common occurrence following the management of upper-tract TCC. Currently, there are no variables that consistently predict which patients will develop intravesical recurrences. As such, surveillance with cystoscopy and cytology following surgical management of upper-tract TCC is essential. Extrapolating from data on bladder TCC, both regional lymphadenectomy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens are likely to be beneficial for patients with upper-tract TCC, particularly in the setting of bulky disease.

Endoscopic management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma in patients with a history of bladder urothelial carcinoma

PURPOSE

Endoscopic management of renal pelvis and ureteral urothelial carcinoma is gaining acceptance as a conservative treatment modality. Patients with a history of bladder urothelial carcinoma are at high risk for upper tract recurrence. We evaluate the role of endoscopic management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma in patients with a history of primary bladder urothelial carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 90 patients with a history of primary bladder urothelial carcinoma who underwent endoscopic treatment of localized upper tract urothelial carcinoma between 1983 and 2004.

RESULTS

Median patient age at diagnosis was 73 years (range 50 to 90). A total of 13 (14.4%) patients previously underwent cystectomy. With a median followup of 4.3 years (range 0.1 to 17), 105 upper tract urothelial carcinoma recurrences developed in 55 patients at a mean of 0.6 years (range 22 days to 5.9 years). Of these recurrences 76 were amenable to endoscopic management while 29 required nephroureterectomy. In 38 patients there were 91 bladder recurrences. At last followup 48 patients died, 17 of urothelial carcinoma at a median of 3.4 years (range 1 to 10). Cancer specific survival at 5 years for this cohort was 71.2%. Risk of death from urothelial carcinoma was significantly associated with stage (RR 3.23) and grade (RR 4.05) of upper tract urothelial carcinoma, imperative indication (RR 4.30), and treatment of bladder urothelial carcinoma with cystectomy (RR 3.34).

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma in patients with primary bladder urothelial carcinoma demonstrates a significant local recurrence rate. Furthermore, 5-year cancer specific survival is low. These patients represent a high risk cohort requiring strict ureteroscopic followup after endoscopic management is instituted.

[Conservative treatment of upper urinary tract tumors]

The histological appearance and the clinical behaviour of upper urinary tract urothelial tumours are almost identical to those of the bladder. Superficial papillary tumours rarely progress and turn to invasive disease despite a high frequency of recurrence. Technical developments in the endourology field have allowed full endoscopic access to upper tract tumours. Endoscopic resection or ablation of the tumour can be undertaken safely and effectively through ureteroscopy or percutaneous nephroscopy with low risk of extra-renal tumour seeding. For superficial (Ta, T1), low grade (I, II) tumours, a conservative approach can be selected without compromising survival and prognosis. For muscle invasive > T2 or high grade (III) tumours, nephroureterectomy remains the treatment of choice. Intracavitary BCG used after percutaneous resection reduces the risk of recurrence of upper tract urothelial tumours regardless of the grade. Finally, the world literature and our personal experience have shown that the tumour grade and stage are the two independent factors that affect survival of patients with upper urinary tract tumours.

Partial nephrectomy and autotransplantation with pyelovesicostomy for renal urothelial carcinoma in solitary kidneys: a clinical update

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the indications and outcomes after partial nephrectomy and renal autotransplantation for urothelial cancer in solitary kidneys, with special attention to the ease of endoscopic tumour control after pyelovesicostomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 978 records of three institutions were reviewed for patients undergoing partial nephrectomy between January 1990 and December 2000. Ex vivo organ-preserving surgery was used in selected patients with a solitary kidney and localized pelvic or calyceal tumour. Autotransplantation was established using a pyelovesicostomy. The follow-up included ultrasonography, pelvi-cystoscopy, urine cytology, computed tomography, renal functional evaluation and video-urodynamics. The study included four patients aged 52-56 years, with a follow-up of 6-14 years.

RESULTS

The histopathological status was pT1G2R0 in two and pT1G1R0 in the other two patients. One of them had an additional papilloma in the upper ureter. All patients entered a protocol of mitomycin/bacille Calmette-Guérin instillation therapy after surgery. The patients are currently alive with no recurrences. There is stable kidney function despite vesico-renal reflux, and normal bladder function with no subvesical obstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

Partial nephrectomy and renal autotransplantation for renal urothelial cancer in solitary kidneys is feasible, but should only be used in the rarest cases, and for the most selective indications. Dialysis and renal replacement can be avoided. Pyelovesicostomy allows effective chemotherapy instillation therapy, and easy and secure urothelial cancer control of the upper urinary tract.

Partial nephrectomy for renal urothelial tumors: clinical update

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the contemporary indications and outcome after partial nephrectomy for renal urothelial cancer. Partial nephrectomy is an established treatment for renal cell cancer but its use for renal urothelial tumors has been studied less extensively.

METHODS

Records were reviewed for patients undergoing partial nephrectomy for renal urothelial tumors between January 1990 and December 2001. Partial nephrectomy was selected for those with a solitary kidney, chronic renal insufficiency, or bilateral synchronous tumors. Partial nephrectomy was performed according to the principles of partial nephrectomy. Follow-up included ultrasonography, intravenous urography, computed tomography, metastatic workup, and renal function evaluation.

RESULTS

This study included 12 patients (12 kidneys, 10 solitary) with a mean age of 68.5 +/- 21 years and a mean follow-up of 40.8 +/- 32 months. The pathologic T stage was Tis in 1 patient, T1 in 3, T2 in 2, and T3 in 6 patients. Of the 12 patients, 6 had negative surgical margins, and 4 of the 12 patients (30%) were tumor free after a mean follow-up of 57.7 months. Of the 6 patients with positive surgical margins (Stage T1 in 2 and T3 in 4), 1 developed recurrence and 3 developed metastasis; 4 died after a mean of 31.3 months. Overall recurrence was seen in 5 (42%) and progression (metastasis) in 6 (50%) patients. Of the 12 patients, 6 were alive, 4 of them were well (mean serum creatinine 1.83 mg/dL) at 62 months of follow-up. Two patients required dialysis. The overall long-term survival rate was 50%.

CONCLUSIONS

Partial nephrectomy for renal urothelial tumors is feasible and should be considered in a select population. Dialysis or renal replacement can be delayed or avoided in most of these patients, but strict surveillance remains mandatory.

Current Practice Patterns in Urologic Management of Upper-Tract Transitional-Cell Carcinoma

PURPOSE

To determine the current practice patterns in the management of upper-tract transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC) among a large group of urologists.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A survey was sent to 220 practicing members of the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) and the Endourological Society (ES) and members of the American Urological Association who did not belong to either society. The survey consisted of 16 focused questions pertaining to the surveillance and management of upper-tract TCC. The responses were used to create a database, which was then analyzed to determine practice trends.

RESULTS

Eighty-four of the urologists responded, for a response rate of 38%. Fourteen responses were excluded because of multiple answers to a given question, so 70 were included in the final analysis. Eighty percent of the respondents were in academic practice. A CT urogram was the favored initial procedure for diagnosis of upper-tract TCC and an intravenous urogram was the next commonest choice (53% and 40%, respectively). Ureterorenoscopy was the surveillance tool of choice (70%) after conservative treatment of upper- tract TCC. Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy was the preferred procedure (73%) for a high-grade, large renal-pelvic TCC. Twenty-one percent of the endourologists recommended ureteroscopic ablation for a high-grade, large distal ureteral tumor. This was in sharp contrast to 77% of the respondents who favored a distal ureterectomy for the same clinical scenario.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms that most urologists treating upper-tract TCC follow the principles reported in the published literature regarding the management of these patients. Further, most urologists, regardless of society affiliations or years in practice, favor minimally invasive techniques for the management of upper-tract TCC. This information may be useful in formulating clear guidelines for the management of this disease.

Endoscopic treatment of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

To review the current literature and data describing primary endoscopic treatment of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Published, peer-reviewed articles on ureteroscopic, percutaneous, and laparoscopic treatment of upper tract TCC were identified using the MEDLINE database.

RESULTS

Nephroureterectomy has been considered the "gold standard" for upper tract TCC. Minimally invasive approaches, initially advocated for patients requiring a nephron sparing approach (i.e., solitary kidney or renal insufficiency) or those with significant comorbidities precluding definitive surgery, have been increasingly used with the further refinement of ureteroscopy, percutaneous renal surgery, and laparoscopy. Ureteroscopy has been used successfully, resulting in recurrence rates ranging from 31% to 65% and disease-free rates of 35% to 86%. Progression and metastatic rates are low and correlate with tumor grade. Likewise, percutaneous approaches show disease specific survival and recurrence rates correlating with tumor grade. Patients with low-grade tumors (Grades 1-2) do well with this approach with recurrence rates and disease specific survival rates of 26% to 28% and 96% to 100%, respectively. For those patients requiring complete extirpation of the kidney and ureter, laparoscopic nephroureterectomy results in decreased postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, and more rapid convalescence without compromising cancer control.

CONCLUSIONS

Nephron sparing approaches in well-selected patients with low stage and low-grade disease can be treated endoscopically with ureteroscopy and percutaneous renal surgery. Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy offers a safe, minimally invasive alternative to traditional open surgical techniques for patients with TCC of the upper urinary tract.

Ureteroscopic management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma

The expanding experience with endoscopic techniques for treating upper tract urothelial malignancy demonstrates its safety and efficacy in carefully selected patients. Diagnostic accuracy can be enhanced, and pathologic confirmation of tumor grade and stage is possible. In carefully selected patients who have low-grade and low-stage disease, the results of endourologic management have been encouraging. Patients with an anatomic or functionally solitary kidney, bilateral disease, or significant renal insufficiency can often be considered candidates for endoscopic treatment as the first line of therapy. In the setting of low-grade, low-stage disease in a patient with a normal contralateral kidney, the role of endourologic management remains controversial. Adjuvant topical therapy with mitomycin C or BCG seems to be safe and well tolerated after endoscopic management of upper tract TCC.

Surveillance and management of recurrence for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma

Surveillance of treated upper tract TCC must be tailored to each patient based on individual tumor characteristics. Important risk factors include tumor stage, grade, and multifocality. Molecular markers for TCC may assist in future surveillance strategies, but for now remain experimental. Improvements in imaging eventually may provide the sensitivity needed to determine tumor stage, which would make both initial and recurrence management decisions much more accurate. Initial surgical treatment will influence surveillance when it pertains to superficial disease treated conservatively with either open segmental resection or, now more commonly, with endoscopic resection. Patients treated in this manner require vigilant surveillance of the ipsilateral ureter. Direct visualization in combination with cytology currently appears to be the most effective method, using the same timelines as those used for bladder TCC. Prospective studies concerning surveillance protocols for upper tract TCC would certainly provide more evidence for the current recommendations. However, the evidence does show that upper tract TCC behaves biologically much in the same fashion as does bladder TCC. In light of this fact, the current recommendations are meant to suggest following a patient after treatment for upper tract TCC in a manner similar to that used to follow a patient after treatment of bladder TCC, with individual strategies based on tumor characteristics. For superficial disease, the technology now exists to moniter a patient after endoscopic resection of an upper tract tumor in exactly the same manner used to follow a patient after endoscopic resection of a bladder tumor.

Transitional cell carcinoma of the ureter and renal pelvis

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of ureter and renal pelvis is relatively uncommon. Smoking, occupational carcinogens, analgesic abuse, Balkan nephropathy are the risk factors. Cytogenetic studies revealed that the most frequent aberration is the partial or complete loss of chromosome 9. Approximately 20-50% of patients with upper urinary tract (UUT) TCC have bladder cancer at some point on their course, whereas the incidence of UUT TCC after primary bladder cancer is 0.7-4%. Excretory urography and retrograde pyelography are the conventional diagnostic tools; however, ureteropyeloscopy combined with cytology and biopsy is more accurate. Grade and stage of the disease have the most significant impact on survival. Nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision has been the mainstay of treatment. Local resection may be appropriate for distal ureteral lesions especially when the disease is low grade and stage. Advances in endourology have made it possible to treat many tumors conservatively. Ureteroscopic and to a certain extent percutaneous surgical approaches are widely used today especially in patients with low grade, low stage disease. Endoscopic close surveillance is mandatory for these patients. Adjuvant topical therapies appear to be safe but confirmation of any benefits awaits the results of further large studies. More recently, laparoscopic techniques have become a viable alternative to open surgery, but long term cancer control data are lacking. Aggressive surgical resection does not affect the outcome of patients with advanced disease. Adjuvant radiotherapy is ineffective, and systemic chemotherapy results in a low complete response rate for patients with metastases.

Percutaneous management of renal pelvic urothelial tumors: long-term followup

PURPOSE

We present the long-term outcome of percutaneous resection of renal urothelial tumor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 24 patients underwent primary percutaneous resection of renal urothelial tumor. Patients with low stage pT0-1 disease were treated primarily with percutaneous surgery. All pelvicaliceal tumors were taken for biopsy and treated with percutaneous resection. Patients with multi-segmental pelvicaliceal system involvement, stage greater than pT1, high grade histology or additional ureteral tumors were considered for nephroureterectomy. Topical chemotherapy (mitomycin C or epirubicin) was administered via nephrostomy tube or intravesical instillation after Double-J stent (Medical Engineering Corp., New York, New York) insertion. Surveillance included upper tract cytology, nephroscopy or fiberoptic ureterorenoscopy. Long-term followup was correlated with histopathology.

RESULTS

Of the 24 cases 2 had squamous cell carcinoma, 5 had grade III transitional cell carcinoma, 15 had grade I to II transitional cell carcinoma and 2 had no tumor. Control was established with initial percutaneous resection in 18 (75%) cases and second look nephroscopy in 4. Early recurrences were detected by excretory urography (IVP) in 3 cases, small pelvic recurrences by IVP in 2, fiberoptic ureterorenoscopy in 2 and bladder tumors by flexible cystoscopy in 3 after 1 year. A total of 10 nephroscopies were performed in 5 cases, 24 flexible uretereorenoscopies in 9 and IVP in 6. Three synchronous, grade I bladder tumors were managed conventionally. All patients with high grade disease died of malignancy except one (with no further treatment) and 6 of the 15 patients with low grade noninvasive transitional cell carcinoma underwent nephroureterectomy during followup either due to progression of disease, concomitant tumor or complications. Two patients with solitary kidneys died of renal failure unrelated to malignancy. High grade tumors or tumors greater than T1 were treated with nephroureterectomy early during management. There was no perioperative mortality and 9 (60%) of the low grade cases the kidneys were preserved at a mean followup +/- SD of 64 +/- 15 months. All excised tracks from patients who underwent nephroureterectomy and the renal fossae were free of tumor on histopathological examination.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous resection of transitional cell tumor should be considered primarily in patients with early stage disease excluding tumors crossing caliceal infundibula, ureteropelvic junction tumor, tumor extending over multiple calices and synchronous ureteral tumors. The long-term outcome of low grade tumors is good and they should be managed by either form of minimally invasive surgery. Nephron sparing is possible in a large percentage of low grade disease but high grade tumors should be treated with nephroureterectomy.

Evolving management of upper-tract transitional-cell carcinoma at a tertiary-care center

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Traditional management of upper-tract transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC) has been open nephroureterectomy. Minimally invasive options, including laparoscopic and endoscopic techniques, are being applied with increasing frequency, however. To assess the impact of these techniques on the current management of upper-tract TCC, we reviewed our experience managing this problem over the last 3 years.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Since January 1998, 84 patients underwent definitive management of upper-tract TCC using open, laparoscopic, or endoscopic techniques. This study group includes 57 men and 27 women with a mean age of 69.9 years.

RESULTS

Fifty-three patients (63.9%) were treated by laparoscopic nephroureterectomy. Twelve patients (14.5%) were treated endoscopically, with percutaneous resection in 7 patients and ureteroscopic resection in 5 patients. The indications for nephron-sparing management in these 12 patients included solitary kidneys in 6 patients, significant comorbidities in 4 patients, and bilateral disease in 1 patient. Endoscopic management was elective in one patient. Nineteen patients (22.9%) underwent open surgical procedures consisting of nephroureterectomy in 16 patients and distal ureterectomy with reimplantation in 3 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Advances in laparoscopy and endourology are significantly impacting the definitive management of upper-tract TCC. Patients with a normal contralateral kidney are currently offered laparoscopic nephroureterectomy, while those with an absent or functionally compromised contralateral kidney are generally managed with endoscopic resection. Although minimally invasive techniques have demonstrated advantages regarding postoperative pain, hospital stay, and return to regular activities, only critical long-term follow-up regarding rates of local and distant recurrence will determine the ultimate role of these techniques.

Ureteroscopic surgery for upper tract transitional-cell carcinoma: complications and management

In some patients with small low-grade transitional-cell carcinoma of the ureter, the lesion can be treated ureteroscopically with the laser or electrocoagulation. Patients must be compliant with lifelong frequent surveillance. Surgical complications such as ureteral perforation and stricture are uncommon. The authors provide advice on technique and on preventing and managing complications.

NEPHROID METAPLASIA OF A GRAFT KIDNEY

BACKGROUND

Nephroid metaplasia is a benign and rare lesion that is confined to the lamina propria of the urinary tract. The leading cause of these lesions is previous trauma to the urothelium.

METHOD

We report a case of nephroid metaplasia of a graft kidney from a living-unrelated donor. This patient presented to our clinics due to painless gross hematuria 1 month after renal transplantation.

RESULT

Although malignancy was suspected in the beginning due to a filling defect demonstrated by urography, only percutaneous excision of the tumor was performed to preserve the renal function. However, the pathological result disclosed nephroid metaplasia.

CONCLUSION

Hematuria warrant aggressive evaluation because underlying malignancy in a immunocompromised patient might be relatively progressive.

Surveillance of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma: the role of ureteroscopy, retrograde pyelography, cytology and urinalysis

PURPOSE

A select group of patients with upper tract transitional cell carcinoma are treated with ureteroscopic resection. We determine the validity and accuracy of urinalysis, bladder cytology, upper tract biopsy/cytology and retrograde pyelography for the detection of recurrent upper tract transitional cell carcinoma compared to endoscopic findings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with ureteroscopically treated upper tract transitional cell carcinoma were followed with surveillance every 3 to 6 months. Surveillance included urinalysis with dipstick and microscopic examination, bladder cytology, retrograde pyelography read by a urologist and radiologist, and ureteropyeloscopy with cytology and biopsy of suspicious areas. Not all results were available for all surveillance procedures. Measures of sensitivity and specificity for the aforementioned surveillance procedures were determined relative to endoscopic findings that were defined as the standard. Confidence intervals were also estimated. Initially, a generalized estimation equation approach was used to take into account the clustering of repeated testing within patients. The accuracy of each procedure was also calculated.

RESULTS

There were 23 patients with previously resected low grade upper tract transitional cell carcinoma who underwent a total of 88 surveillances in 30 months. A total of 56 of 88 (64%) recurrences were detected ureteroscopically, including 11 (12%) associated bladder recurrences. In patients who did not have bladder recurrences urinalysis had a sensitivity of 37.5% but specificity was 85%, while bladder cytology had a sensitivity of 50% and specificity was 100%, and retrograde pyelography read in the endoscopy room revealed a sensitivity of 71.7% and specificity of 84.7%. Ureteroscopic biopsy/cytology had a sensitivity and specificity of 93.4% and 65.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that compared to ureteroscopy, urinalysis, bladder cytology, retrograde pyelography and ureteroscopic cytology/biopsy are less valid and accurate in detecting upper tract transitional cell carcinoma recurrences. Based on our data we recommend ureteroscopic evaluation as an essential procedure for the surveillance of patients treated endoscopically for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma.

Ureteroscopic management of patients with upper tract transitional cell carcinoma

Endoscopic therapy for the management of upper urinary tract TCC is mainly indicated for patients with an anatomically or functionally solitary kidney, renal insufficiency, bilateral tumors, or severe medical comorbidity. It may be a reasonable alternative to distal ureterectomy with bladder-cuff resection in individuals with low-grade superficial distal ureteral tumors. Although use of this approach has been suggested for treating standard patients with low-grade, low-stage collecting system tumors, this recommendation should not be embraced until more supporting evidence is generated. The efficacy of adjuvant therapy for the prevention of recurrent or progressive disease needs to be defined. If current adjuvant strategies prove ineffective, alternative ones will need to be developed. It is anticipated that advancements in endoscopic technology will facilitate the performance of this type of surgery in the future.

Primary percutaneous approach to upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma

The optimal approach to upper tract TCC remains to be redefined. A routine nephroureterectomy for every filling defect in the upper urinary system, even in the case of a normal contralateral kidney, constitutes an unnecessary mutilation in more than two thirds of the cases. Nephroureterectomy does not reduce the need for a long-term cystoscopic follow-up because of the high rate of bladder tumor recurrence that may happen years later after nephroureterectomy. Relying solely on radiography and cytology, lacking sensitivity and specificity, to recommend a nephroureterectomy is against the principles of oncologic surgery, especially now that preoperative histologic proof is easy to obtain endoscopically without compromising cancer control. Ureteroscopy, rigid and flexible, provides a complete assessment of the upper urinary system. Biopsy specimens taken with ureteroscopy may be sufficient for grading but less adequate for staging of the tumor. The authors reserve ureteroscopy for ureteral tumors and small (< 1.5 cm) single tumors of the renal pelvis. They approach large or multiple tumors of the renal pelvis percutaneously, in which a full histologic assessment is possible along with a complete resection of the tumor. The decision on the therapeutic approach is made only after the final pathologic report is reviewed. Grade I and grade II superficial disease (Ta, T1) can be treated endoscopically with minimal morbidity and with an efficiency comparable with the standard more invasive nephroureterectomy (Table 5). The indications for endourologic treatment in these cases can be extended safely beyond a solitary kidney or a high surgical risk to include any healthy individual with a normal contralateral kidney who is willing to commit to a rigorous lifelong follow-up. Patients with grade II T1 lesions require a more vigilant follow-up. For grade III Ta disease, more caution should be exercised in selecting these patients for elective endourologic management. When criteria of good prognosis are found, such as absence of carcinoma in situ, presence of diploidy, low p53 expression and a single-tumor, endoscopic management can be offered [table: see text] with a closer follow-up and resorting always to immediate nephroureterectomy at the first evidence of upstaging. Because of the high incidence of recurrence and progression, elective endourologic management for grade III T1 tumors is not recommended. Endoscopic conservative surgery still can be offered in the cases of a solitary kidney or chronic renal insufficiency or for poor surgical candidates. Patients with localized stages (T2, T3) TCC should be offered immediate nephroureterectomy. The authors do not expect adequate endoscopic extirpation with muscle invasive tumors. Although the tissue removed may include deep layers, deep resection is precluded by the thin renal pelvic wall and the associated risk for perforation. Patients with more extensive disease (T3, T4) have a bad prognosis regardless of the form of therapy. Achieving local control percutaneously while preserving as many nephrons as possible for the future chemotherapy can be a reasonable option.

Ureteroscopic management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma in patients with normal contralateral kidneys

PURPOSE

The standard treatment for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma in patients with a normal contralateral kidney is nephroureterectomy with a bladder cuff or segmental ureterectomy. We evaluate whether ureteroscopic tumor resection with vigilant surveillance is a safe alternative in select patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with isolated upper tract filling defects on an excretory urogram and a normal contralateral kidney were diagnosed ureteroscopically with papillary low intermediate grade appearing transitional cell carcinoma. Biopsies of the lesions were obtained, and the tumors were treated with laser ablation or electrofulguration in the same sitting. Patients with cytopathological results of high grade transitional cell carcinoma underwent nephroureterectomy. Surveillance consisted of ureteroscopy every 3 months until tumor-free and ureteroscopy every 6 months thereafter.

RESULTS

Between 1989 and 1998, 23 patients with normal creatinine (mean 1.0, range 0.7 to 1.6) underwent ureteroscopic resection of unilateral upper tract transitional cell carcinoma. On initial biopsy 22 tumors were grade 1 or 2 and 1 was grade 2 to 3. After the primary tumor was treated 8 (35%) patients remained tumor-free and 15 (65%) had multiple recurrences, which were treated ureteroscopically. Mean followup was 35 months (range 8 to 103 months). All 23 patients are alive without evidence of disease progression. At last followup 4 patients (17%) had persistent disease, 4 (17%) elected to undergo nephroureterectomy and 15 (65%) are free of ipsilateral disease for a mean duration of 17 months (range 6 to 77).

CONCLUSIONS

Ureteroscopic treatment of focal low intermediate grade superficial upper tract transitional cell carcinoma is a safe alternative to nephroureterectomy in select patients when vigilant ureteroscopic followup is used.

[Treatment of pyelocaliceal transitional cell carcinoma with partial nephrectomy]

Nephroureterectomy is the choice treatment for tumours of the upper urinary tract. Conservative surgical management is sometimes warranted due to the risk of renal failure or just as palliative treatment. Contribution of two cases of transitional tumours in the pyelocalyceal zone treated with partial nephrectomy, and discussion of the usefulness and indication of conservative surgery for these tumours.

Ureteroscopic approach to upper-tract urothelial tumors

Transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC) of the upper urinary tract has traditionally been managed by nephroureterectomy, whereas nephron-sparing surgery has been reserved for those few patients with solitary kidneys or bilateral lesions. However, with the introduction of improved diagnostic and therapeutic technology, including smaller ureteroscopes and working instruments, and the concomitant ease of surveillance, ureteroscopic treatment of upper-tract urothelial tumors has become a reasonable alternative to open operative intervention in patients requiring conservative management. Furthermore, as preoperative grading and staging have improved, ureteroscopic treatment of upper-tract urothelial tumors is assuming an increasingly important role in the management of some patients who might have otherwise been treated with a nephroureterectomy. The technique of ureteroscopic resection is described in detail.

[Upper tract urothelial tumor. Factors that influence survival]

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Study of the pathoanatomical features and influential factors on survival of 59 patients diagnosed with a tumour of the upper tract urothelium managed with radical surgery.

RESULTS

Mean age 65 years, 83% male, and tumour located in the renal pelvis in 64% cases. 54% was pT1-2, 73% G1-2. 10% had node involvement and 15% metastasis. 44% presented concomitant vesical tumour. No surgery-related deaths were reported. 60% was still alive at study completion. Five-year overall actuarial survival was 60 +/- 7%. Mean survival was 134 months, and median survival 156(101-168 months. 95% CI). Gender, site, morphology, type, concomitant vesical tumour, nodes number and involvement do not significantly influence survival. Only tumour differentiation (p = 0.006) and pathological stage (p = 0.005) are significant in the univariate analysis. The multivariate study showed that pathological stage is the only factor that influences survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The most influential independent factor on survival of patients with upper tract endothelium tumour is the pathological stage. Grade is influential in the univariate analysis, and is likely to be a subsidiary factor. Due to the small number of cases, it can not be ruled out that node involvement and type of tumour have an influence on survival.

13-year experience with percutaneous management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

We determined the immediate and long-term results of percutaneous management of upper trace transitional cell carcinoma in regard to rates of tumor recurrence and preservation of renal function.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Since July 1985, 12 men and 5 women 50 to 86 years old (mean age 72.2) years old underwent percutaneous management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma. Of the patients 12 (71%) had a solitary kidney and 1 was treated bilaterally. In 16 of the 18 treated renal units (89%) definitive percutaneous resection of the tumor was followed by 6 weekly percutaneous installations of bacillus Calmette-Guerin.

RESULTS

Complete resection was accomplished in 17 of the 18 renal units. Of the 18 renal units 15 (83.3%) had documented stage pTa lesions and 14 (77.8%) had grade 1/3 or 2/3 disease. Followup for all patients ranged from 1.7 to 75.5 months (mean 20.5). At the latest followup 11 patients (64.7%) are alive with no evidence of disease, and 6 (35.3%) died, 3 of whom (17.6%) had metastatic transitional cell carcinoma. Of the 13 patients undergoing treatment to solitary kidneys or bilaterally followup ranged from 1.7 to 75.5 months (mean 23.6). Serum creatinine ranged from 1.1 to 3.5 mg./dl. (mean 1.6) before percutaneous tumor resection and from 1.1 to 2.2 mg./dl. (mean 1.6) at the latest followup. Only 1 of these 13 patients (7.7%) with a solitary kidney has required dialysis. Ipsilateral local recurrence developed in 6 of the 18 renal units (33%), and in 4 of these 6 patients (67%) the tumor was grade 2/3 or 3/3 at initial resection. These recurrences were treated endoscopically in 4 patients, 3 of whom are currently without evidence of disease, and with nephroureterectomy in 2. Of the 17 patients only 1 (5.9%) with high grade (3/3), invasive (pT2) primary tumor at initial resection died of locally persistent or recurrent disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma is technically feasible and applicable in a significant number of patients in whom nephron sparing management is otherwise warranted. In carefully selected patients the results are at least comparable to other forms of "conservative" management in terms of tumor control and preservation of renal function.

Upper-tract transitional cell carcinoma

Advances in ureteroscopic techniques have made it possible to treat many upper-tract tumors conservatively. Such treatment has demonstrated acceptable survival and renal preservation in high-risk patients, particularly those with a solitary kidney, bilateral tumors, poor renal function, or prohibitive operative risk. It is also preferred in patients with grade I TCC, particularly when located in the distal ureter. For patients with regionally extensive upper-tract urothelial neoplasms, use of endourologic techniques should be considered to control hemorrhage, relieve obstruction, and preserve as much functioning renal tissue as possible. Success with small, solitary, low-grade tumors allows the application of this technique to patients with a normal contralateral kidney on an elective basis. Adjuvant BCG or mitomycin C therapy appears to be safe, but confirmation of any benefits awaits the results of larger trials. Benign neoplasms can occur in the upper urinary tract and should be distinguished from TCC, thus avoiding more radical treatment for a benign lesion. Endoscopic surveillance should be maintained because recurrences can develop without radiographic evidence.

Nd:YAG laser application in the treatment of upper urinary tract tumours

— 29 patients were referred to our Department for upper urinary tract tumours and underwent ureteropyeloscopy with laser irradiation of the neoplasm. All the patients had been selected for this treatment previously because of solitary kidney, bilateral tumours, poor renal function, refusal of nephroureterectomy. The tumours were treated with Nd:YAG laser irradiation at 25–30 Watts/3 sec. Before the procedure, the ureter and pelvis were accessed by a 0.035 inch guide wire or 4 French ureteral catheter. No important side effects were noted after the procedure in 27 of the 29 patients. Two patients developed ureteral stenosis; the first after several treatments, the other after the first treatment. Follow-up consists of endoscopic surveillance every three months in the first year then every 6 months in the absence of recurrences. At present 10 patients are tumour-free, 3 patients underwent nephroureterectomy for massive recurrences and the other patients underwent new laser irradiation.

Laser treatment in urology: our experience with neodymium:YAG and carbon dioxide lasers

Laser surgery is currently considered as an effective alternative in the treatment of several urological diseases. We report on our three-year experience treating recurrent superficial low grade bladder carcinoma in 80 patients using Neodymium: YAG (Nd:YAG) laser. A decrease in local tumour recurrence rate (11%) was observed, but the overall not treated area recurrence was 45%. No complications were noted when the procedure was carried out on outpatient basis. Furthermore, we have been treating successfully urogenital condylomata using Nd:YAG and carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers in 364 patients. In addition we describe the use of Nd:YAG laser in the percutaneous treatment of a patient with bilateral transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis.

Definitive tumor resection and percutaneous bacille Calmette-Guérin for management of renal pelvic transitional cell carcinoma in solitary kidneys

OBJECTIVES

This study was done to evaluate the safety and initial efficacy of definitive tumor resection combined with percutaneous bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) for management of renal pelvic transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in patients with solitary kidneys.

METHODS

Eight patients with anatomically solitary kidneys, all of whom had a prior history of TCC elsewhere in the urinary tract, were treated with either partial nephrectomy (n = 2) or percutaneous resection (n = 6) combined with a 6-week course of topical BCG administered percutaneously. Seven (87.5%) of the 8 patients tolerated the complete BCG course without adverse effects. One patient required cessation of treatment for renal insufficiency, which resolved with discontinuation of therapy. Follow-up nephroscopy was performed 3 months after the initial tumor resection in 6 of the 8 patients, and all patients underwent regular follow-up surveillance at 3- to 6-month intervals thereafter with radiographic, cytologic, and, in some cases, ureteroscopic examinations.

RESULTS

With follow-up ranging from 9 to 59 (mean, 22) months, local tumor recurrence has become evident in only 1 patient. Two other patients have developed distant metastatic disease, both of whom had invasive TCC elsewhere in the urinary tract prior to treatment of the upper tract tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

Combining a 6-week course of percutaneously administered topical BCG with definitive tumor resection is generally well tolerated, and, ultimately, this protocol may result in a decreased incidence of local tumor recurrence in these high-risk patients.

Renal pelvic cancer: a review of 611 patients treated in Illinois 1975-1985. Cancer Incidence and End Results Committee

Renal pelvic transitional cell carcinoma constitutes about 7 percent of all kidney cancer. This report is a summary of 611 Illinois patients with this tumor treated between 1975 and 1985. Overall, the five-year relative survival rate was 62 percent and the observed five-year rate was 48 percent. Stage was a major determinant of survival, as expected, in these cancer patients. The Illinois experience is reviewed and compared with the accumulated literature experience with renal pelvic cancers since 1944.

Tumors of the upper urinary tract: 10 years of experience

We reviewed 108 patients with upper urinary tract tumors who underwent surgical treatment during a 10-year period (87 men and 21 women with a mean age of 63.5 years). Of the tumors 97% were unilateral and only 3 patients had bilateral tumors. Two-thirds of the patients had a single tumor focus and a third had 2 or more tumor foci. Additionally, there were 31 patients (28.7%) with previous and/or simultaneous bladder tumors. Nephroureterectomy was performed in 92 cases, nephrectomy in 6 and a conservative operation in 13. In 65 cases lymphadenectomy was added. The survival rates at 5 and 10 years were 67 and 65%, respectively. Of the patients 90% with cancer-related deaths had high grade tumors. Of the 15 patients with positive lymph nodes 87% died of metastasis compared to 8% of the 50 patients with negative lymph nodes. Nine patients (8.7%) had relapse in the upper urinary tract, 6 (5.8%) in the ipsilateral ureter and 3 (2.9%) in the contralateral ureter. Of these 3 patients 2 had recurrent multifocal bladder tumors. For patients who present with an upper urinary tract tumor the risk of a bladder cancer was approximately 9% and that of a contralateral urothelial tumor was 1%.

Long-term follow-up after partial removal of a solitary kidney

BACKGROUND

The removal of more than one kidney in animals leads to proteinuria and progressive renal failure due to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. This injury may be the result of chronic glomerular hyperfiltration. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a reduction in renal mass of more than 50 percent on residual renal function and morphology in humans.

METHODS

We evaluated long-term renal function in 14 patients with a solitary kidney who had undergone partial nephrectomy for renal-cell or transitional-cell carcinoma. In 12, the first kidney had been removed 2 months to 21 years previously for the same type of cancer; in 2, the other kidney was congenitally atrophic. Before surgery, no patient had clinical or histopathological evidence of primary renal disease. All 14 patients underwent partial nephrectomy to remove a localized tumor, with 25 to 75 percent of the solitary kidney being excised. They were evaluated 5 to 17 years after surgery (mean, 7.7).

RESULTS

Twelve patients had stable postoperative renal function, and end-stage renal failure developed in two. There were no changes in blood pressure in any patient during follow-up. Nine patients had proteinuria, which was mild (0.15 to 0.8 g of urinary protein per day) in five. The extent of proteinuria was inversely correlated with the amount of remaining renal tissue (P = 0.0065) and directly correlated with the duration of follow-up (P = 0.0005). Four patients with moderate-to-severe proteinuria had renal biopsies, which revealed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in three patients and global glomerulosclerosis in one.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term renal function remains stable in most patients with a reduction in renal mass of more than 50 percent. These patients are, however, at increased risk for proteinuria, glomerulopathy, and progressive renal failure.

The management of transitional cell carcinoma in solitary renal units

Ten patients with urothelial malignancies involving a solitary functioning renal unit were treated at our center for an average of 24 months or until death. These patients were all managed by parenchyma-sparing methods, including percutaneous as well as ureteroscopic tumor resection. Of our patients 9 have received adjunctive chemotherapy in the form of bacillus Calmette-Guerin instillations. At the time of this report 5 of our patients were alive without evidence of disease, 4 were alive with evidence of either residual or recurrent neoplasia and 1 was dead of disease 5 years after original presentation. Patients with higher grade tumors or carcinoma in situ did less well than patients with low grade disease. We present an analysis of our experience with this complex patient population and discuss the implications of these data within the context of a growing literature on the topic of upper tract urothelial malignancy.

Primary carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. Effect of primary and secondary therapy on survival

The pathologic material and medical records of 76 patients with primary upper urinary tract carcinomas were reviewed to identify the role of grade and stage in predicting survival; to determine any differences in survival between ureteral and renal pelvic carcinoma; to understand the role of local therapy in low grade, low stage tumors; and to establish the usefulness of adjuvant therapies in metastatic disease. Kaplan-Meier survival curves with Cox-Mantel analysis for statistical significance revealed both grade and stage to be excellent predictors of survival. No differences in survival were noted between renal pelvic and ureteral carcinomas for equivalent stage tumors. For low grade, low stage tumors, although there was an increased risk of local recurrence with local therapy, there were no differences in survival between patients treated with local therapy or radical surgery. Finally, cisplatin-based chemotherapy seemed to improve survival in patients with metastatic disease.

Estimations of the S phase fraction in situ in transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter with bromodeoxyuridine labelling

This report concerns the estimation of the S phase fraction (SPF) in situ and its value in predicting the malignant potential of transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter. Eighteen patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter were given a 0.5 h intravenous infusion of the thymidine analogue bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) (500 mg) at the time of surgery to label tumour cells in the DNA synthesis phase. The tumour specimens were stained by an indirect immunoperoxidase method using anti-BrdU monoclonal antibody as the first antibody. The BrdU labelling index, S phase fraction, was determined by counting the number of bromodeoxy-uridine labelled cells in the tissue sections. All grade 1 tumours had an S phase fraction lower than 10%. The average S phase fraction for non-invasive tumour (12 cases) and invasive tumour (6 cases) were 9.7 and 20.9%, respectively. Two patients with rapid spread of ureteric tumour showed an S phase fraction of 18.4 and 22.3%. The results obtained with the S phase fraction were comparable with histological tumour grade and invasive potential. The higher S phase fraction may indicate greater biological malignancy. We believe that determination of the S phase fraction of transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter offers a new objective and quantitative assay of the biological potential of individual tumours and might have practical value in their management.