Third Prize: The Role of Endoscopic Nephron-Sparing Surgery in the Management of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma

Endoscopic intervention versus radical nephroureterectomy for the management of localized upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies

OBJECTIVE

Localized Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinoma (UTUC) is an uncommon cancer typically detected at an advanced stage. Currently, radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) with bladder cuff excision is the standard treatment for high-risk UTUC. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the 5-year overall and cancer-specific survival and bladder recurrence rates in studies comparing endoscopic kidney-sparing surgeries (E-KSS) with RNU in localized UTUC.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

We performed a literature search on 20th April 2023 through PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. The PICOS model was used for study inclusion: P: adult patients with localized UTUC; I: E-KSS. C: RNU; O: primary: overall survival (OS); secondary: cancer-specific survival (CSS), bladder recurrence rate, and metastasis-free survival (MFS). S: retrospective, prospective, and randomized studies.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Overall, 11 studies involving 2284 patients were eligible for this meta-analysis, 737 in the E-KSS group and 1547 in the RNU group. E-KSS showed a similar overall 5-year OS between E-KSS and RNU, and for low-grade tumors, while 5-year OS favored RNU for high-grade tumors (RR 1.84, 95% CI 1.26-2.69, p = 0.002). No difference emerged for 5-year CSS between the two groups, even when the results were stratified for low- and high grade tumors. Bladder recurrence rate and 5-year MFS were also similar between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our review showed that E-KSS is a viable option for patients with localized UTUC with non-inferior oncological outcomes as compared with RNU, except for 5-year OS in high-grade tumors which favoured RNU.

Endoscopic excision versus radical nephroureterectomy for non-muscle invasive upper tract urothelial carcinoma: A population-based large cohort study

Background

As an important kidney-sparing treatment for upper urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), whether endoscopic excision can be performed without sacrificing oncologic outcomes remains indefinite. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and efficacy of endoscopic excision, in patients with non-muscle invasive UTUC (NMIUTUC) and compare them to those of radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).

Methods

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, we reviewed 4347 cases with NMIUTUC (cTis/Ta/T1-N0-M0,≤ 5.0 cm) between 2004 and 2020. Surgical treatment modalities included endoscopic excision and RNU. Propensity score matching analysis was used to minimize the selection bias between endoscopic excision and RNU, selecting 1:1 matched patients in the two group.

Results

A total of 794 patients with NMIUTUC were included after matching (397:397). Patients who underwent endoscopic excision had worse survival outcomes compared with those of patients who underwent RNU (5-year OS: 65.3 % vs. 80.3 %, p < 0.0001; 5-year DSS: 83.2 % vs. 94.0 %, p = 0.00021). After stratification by anatomical sites, the effect of endoscopic excision for NMI renal pelvis cancer was worse than RNU (5-year OS, 62.9 % vs. 82.8 %; 5-year DSS, 78.8 % vs. 91.6 %), while in NMI ureteral cancer, there is no statistically significant difference in OS and DSS between endoscopic excision and RNU. Further stratification according to tumor grade revealed equivalent tumor control effects of endoscopic excision and RNU in low-grade NMI ureteral cancer (5-year OS: 67.7 % vs. 72.5 %, p = 0.23; 5-year DSS: 87.2 % vs. 93.1 %, p = 0.17); while for renal pelvis tumor and high-grade ureteral tumor, endoscopic excision was related with significantly inferior prognosis.

Conclusions

Only for low-grade NMI ureteral cancer, endoscopic excision and RNU are oncologically equivalent, indicating that endoscopic excision might be an effective option for low-grade NMI ureteral cancer. This result needs to be further verified in randomized controlled trials.

Oncologic and Safety Outcomes for Endoscopic Surgery Versus Radical Nephroureterectomy for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

We systematically reviewed the literature and summarized oncologic and safety outcomes for endoscopic management (EM) compared to radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Studies comparing oncologic and/or safety results for EM versus RNU in patients with UTUC were included in our review. Overall, 13 studies met the criteria, and five studies were included in a meta-analysis using adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and bladder recurrence-free survival (BRFS). EM was associated similar OS (HR 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75-2.16), CSS (HR 1.37, 95% CI 0.99-1.91), and BRFS (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.61-1.55) to RNU, while 28-85% of patients treated with EM experienced upper tract recurrence across the studies. EM required more interventions with a higher cumulative risk of complications and lower likelihood of renal preservation. In summary, EM for low-grade UTUC had comparable survival outcomes to RNU at the cost of higher local recurrence rates resulting in a need for long-term rigorous surveillance and repeated interventions. PATIENT SUMMARY: For selected cases of cancer in the upper urinary tract, surgical treatment via a telescope inserted through the urethra or the skin (endoscope) results in cancer control outcomes that are comparable to those after removal of the kidney and ureter. However, because of its higher rate of local recurrence, this approach requires repeated endoscopic treatment sessions. Patients should be well informed about these issues to help in shared decision-making.

Oncological Outcomes of Adjuvant Radiotherapy for Partial Ureterectomy in Distal Ureteral Urothelial Carcinoma Patients

Purpose

We retrospectively analyzed the oncological outcomes of T3 or G3 distal ureteral urothelial carcinoma (DUUC) underwent partial ureterectomy (PU) followed by adjuvant radiotherapy (ART).

Methods

From January 2008 to September 2019, clinical data from a total of 221 patients with pathologic T3 or G3 who underwent PU or RNU at our hospital were analyzed. 17 patients of them were treated with PU+ART, 72 with PU alone and 132 with radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). Clinicopathologic outcomes were evaluated. Survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression addressed recurrence-free survival (RFS), metastasis-free survival (MFS), cancer specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

Median age and follow-up time were 68 (IQR 62-76) years old and 43 (IQR 28-67) months, respectively. In univariate and multivariable analyses, no lymph node metastasis(LNM) and ART were independent prognostic factors of RFS (p=0.031 and 0.016, respectively). ART significantly improved 5-year RFS compared with the PU alone, (67.6% vs. 39.5%, HR: 2.431, 95%CI 1.210-4.883, p=0.039). There was no statistical difference in 5-year RFS between PU+ART and RNU groups (67.6% vs. 64.4%, HR=1.113, 95%CI 0.457-2.712, p=0.821). Compared with PU alone or RNU, PU+ART demonstrated no statistical difference in 5-year MFS (PU+ART 73.2%, PU 57.2%, RNU69.4%), CSS (70.7%, 55.1%, 76.6%, respectively), and OS (70.7%, 54.1%, 69.2%, respectively).

Conclusions

For distal ureteral urothelial carcinoma patients with T3 or G3, adjuvant radiotherapy could significantly improve recurrence-free survival compared with partial ureterectomy alone. There was no significant difference between survival outcomes of PU+ART and radical nephroureterectomy.

Endoscopic management versus radical nephroureterectomy for localized upper tract urothelial carcinoma in a high endemic region

Our aim was to analyze the clinical and survival differences among patients who underwent the two main treatment modalities, endoscopic ablation and radical nephroureterectomy. This study examined all patients who had undergone endoscopic management and RNU between Jul. 1988 and Mar. 2019 from the Taiwan UTUC registry. The inclusion criteria were low stage UTUC in RNU and all cases in endoscopic managed UTUC with a curative intent. The demographic and clinical characteristics were included for analysis. In total, 84 cases in the endoscopic group and 272 cases in the RNU group were enrolled for final analysis. The median follow-up period were 33.5 and 42.0 months in endoscopic and RNU group, respectively (p = 0.082). Comparison of Kaplan–Meier estimated survival curves between groups, the endoscopic group was associated with similar overall survival (OS), cancer specific survival (CSS), and intravesical recurrence free survival (IVRS) but demonstrated inferior disease free survival (DFS) (p = 0.188 for OS, p = 0.493 for CSS and p < 0.001 for DFS). Endoscopic management of UTUC was as safe as RNU in UTUC endemic region.

Nephron-sparing surgery for the management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma: an outline of surgical technique and review of outcomes

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) often occurs in elderly patients with multiple co-morbidities including renal impairment. As such, nephron sparing surgery (NSS) often needs to be considered. This article reviews the available NSS techniques for UTUC, including ureteroscopy, percutaneous approaches and segmental ureterectomy. PubMed and OvidMEDLINE reviews of available case series from the last 10 years demonstrated that recurrence was highly variable between studies and occurred in 19–90.5% of ureteroscopic cases, 29–98% of percutaneous resections and in 10.2–31.4% of patients who underwent segmental ureterectomy. The small number of included studies and variable follow up periods made comparison between techniques difficult. NSS is a necessary alternative for patients with significant comorbidities or renal impairment who cannot undergo radical nephro-ureterectomy. However, there is significant variation in oncological outcomes, with an increased risk of progression or death from cancer—salvage by radical surgery may sometimes be required.

Future strategies to enhance kidney preservation in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma

Though radical nephroureterectomy remains the gold standard treatment for high grade or invasive disease in upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC), kidney-sparing surgery has become preferred for low risk disease, in order to minimize morbidity and preserve renal function. Many methods exist for endoscopic management, whether via an antegrade percutaneous or retrograde ureteroscopic approach, including electroresection, laser ablation, and fulguration. There has been an increase in use of adjuvant intracavitary therapy, predominantly using mitomycin and bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), to reduce recurrence after primary endoscopic management for noninvasive tumors, although efficacy remains questionable. Intraluminal BCG has additionally been used for primary treatment of CIS in the upper tract, with around 50% success. Newer investigations include use of narrow band imaging or photodynamic diagnosis with ureteroscopy to improve visualization during diagnosis and treatment. Genomic characterization may improve selection for kidney-sparing surgery as well as identify actionable mutations for systemic therapy. The evolution in adjuvant management has seen strategies to increase the dwell time and the urothelial contact of intraluminal agents. Lastly, chemoablation using a hydrogel for sustained effect of mitomycin is under investigation with promising early results. Continued expansion of the armamentarium available and better identification and characterization of tumors ideal for organ-sparing treatment will further improve kidney preservation in UTUC.

[Instillation therapies for urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract]

Traditionally, urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract was a clear indication for radical nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision. It has been shown that in well-selected patients and depending on tumor stage, a kidney-sparing approach can be pursued with good oncological outcome and equivalent to the radical approach. The prevention of local and bladder recurrences is an important factor. Instillation therapies with bacillus Calmette-Guérin and/or mitomycin C have been successfully used to this end. Due to the low incidence of upper tract urothelial cancer and due to the usually retrospective nature of existing literature, however, data is limited. In this article, we provide a review of the indication, technical execution and results of instillation therapies of the upper urinary tract.

Induction and Maintenance Adjuvant Mitomycin C Topical Therapy for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: Tolerability and Intermediate Term Outcomes

PURPOSE

Endoscopic management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is associated with higher recurrences, which could be reduced by application of topical therapy. Adjuvant induction Bacillus Calmette-Guerin has shown inferior outcomes for UTUC compared to bladder cancer, and maintenance regimens for UTUC are unexplored. We report on the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of Mitomycin C (MMC) induction and maintenance adjuvant topical therapy for UTUC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with UTUC who received adjuvant topical therapy after complete endoscopic control of Ta/T1 tumors were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were treated using percutaneous nephrostomy tube (NT) or cystoscopically placed weekly ureteral catheters, per patient preference, and all patients were offered induction and maintenance. Standardized follow-up of every 3 months in the first year, then at a minimum every 6 months, with ureteroscopy and at least annual CT, was performed. Primary outcomes were recurrence-free, progression-free, nephroureterectomy-free rate and cancer-specific and overall survival. Secondary outcomes were safety and treatment tolerability.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients with 28 renal units received adjuvant topical therapy from January 2008 to March 2015. Median follow-up was 19 months (range 7-92). Three year recurrence-free, progression-free, and nephroureterectomy-free survival rates were 60% [confidence interval (95% CI): 42, 86%], 80% [95% CI: 64, 100%], and 76% [95% CI: 60, 97%]. Cancer-specific mortality rate was 0%, and 3-year overall survival was 92.9%. Nine patients experienced adverse outcomes, all related to interventions and none related to systemic toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Induction and maintenance adjuvant topical MMC for endoscopically resected UTUC is feasible, well tolerated and shows promising intermediate term data on recurrence, progression, and nephroureterectomy-free survival.

Oncologic Outcomes of Kidney-sparing Surgery Versus Radical Nephroureterectomy for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Systematic Review by the EAU Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Guidelines Panel

CONTEXT

There is uncertainty regarding the oncologic effectiveness of kidney-sparing surgery (KSS) compared with radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the current literature comparing oncologic outcomes of KSS versus RNU for UTUC.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A computerised bibliographic search of the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases was performed for all studies reporting comparative oncologic outcomes of KSS versus RNU. Approaches considered for KSS were segmental ureterectomy (SU) and ureteroscopic (URS) or percutaneous (PC) management. Using the methodology recommended by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines, we identified 22 nonrandomised comparative retrospective studies published between 1999 and 2015 that were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. A narrative review and risk-of-bias (RoB) assessment were performed using cancer-specific survival (CSS) as the primary end point.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Seven studies compared KSS overall (n=547) versus RNU (n=1376). Information on the comparison of SU (n=586) versus RNU (n=3692), URS (n=162) versus RNU (n=367), and PC (n=66) versus RNU (n=114) was available in 10, 5, and 2 studies, respectively. No significant difference was found between SU and RNU in terms of CSS or any other oncologic outcomes. Only patients with low-grade and noninvasive tumours experienced similar CSS after URS or PC when compared with RNU, despite an increased risk of local recurrence following endoscopic management of UTUC. The RoB assessment revealed, however, that the analyses were subject to a selection bias favouring KSS.

CONCLUSIONS

Our systematic review suggests similar survival after KSS versus RNU only for low-grade and noninvasive UTUC when using URS or PC. However, selected patients with high-grade and invasive UTUC could safely benefit from SU when feasible. These results should be interpreted with caution due to the risk of selection bias.

PATIENT SUMMARY

We reviewed the studies that compared kidney-sparing surgery versus radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma. We found similar oncologic outcomes for favourable tumours when using ureteroscopic or percutaneous management, whereas indications for segmental ureterectomy could be extended to selected cases of aggressive tumours.

Upper urinary tract disease: what we know today and unmet needs

Purpose

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a rare and poorly investigated disease. Intense collaborative efforts have increased our knowledge and improved the management of the disease. The objective of this review was to discuss recent advances and unmet needs in UTUC.

Methods

A non-systematic Medline/PubMed literature search was performed on UTUC using the terms “upper tract urothelial carcinoma” with different combinations of keywords. Original articles, reviews and editorials in English language were selected based on their clinical relevance.

Results

UTUC is a disease with specific epidemiologic and risk factors different to urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB). Similarly to UCB, smoking increases the risk of UTUC and worsens its prognosis, whereas aristolochic acid (AA) exposure and mismatch repair genes abnormality are UTUC specific risk factors. A growing understanding of biological pathways involved in the tumorigenesis of UTUC has led to the identification of promising prognostic/predictive biomarkers. Risk stratification of UTUC is difficult due to limitations in staging and grading. Modern imaging and endoscopy have improved clinical decision-making, and allowed kidney-sparing management and surveillance in favorable-risk tumors. In high-risk tumors, radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) remains the standard. Complete removal of the intramural ureter is necessary with inferiority of endoscopic management. Post-RNU intravesical instillation has been shown to decrease bladder cancer recurrence rates. While the role of neoadjuvant cisplatin based combination chemotherapy and lymphadenectomy are not clearly established, the body of evidence suggests a survival benefit to these. There is currently no evidence for adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) in UTUC.

Conclusions

Despite growing interest and understanding of UTUC, its management remains challenging, requiring further high quality multicenter collaborations. Accurate risk estimation is necessary to avoid unnecessary RNUs while advances in technology are still required for optimal kidney-sparing approaches.

The role of laparoscopy-assisted renal autotransplantation in the treatment of primary ureteral tumor

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the effect and safety of laparoscopy-assisted renal autotransplantation treatment for primary ureteral cancer (PUC).

METHODS

Medical records of patients undergoing hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy–extracorporeal total ureterectomy–renal autotransplantation–pyelocystostomy (Lap AutoTx) were analyzed. Demographic, intraoperative, and postoperative data were assessed.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients diagnosed with PUC underwent this novel approach. Three kidneys were abandoned owing to the detection of residual cancer on the renal pelvic junction, surgeon’s judgment on three severe atherosclerotic arteries, and palpable pelvic lymph nodes proven to be evidence of metastatic disease by frozen section analysis. Twelve patients (mean ± SD age 67.5 ± 7.5 years) were treated with Lap AutoTx for PUC successfully. No perioperative mortality occurred. One patient with solitary kidney experienced delayed graft function that required short-term hemodialysis. Three recurrent superficial diseases in three patients were treated with transurethral resection. The mean ± SD follow-up duration was 12.1 ± 6.7 months (range 3–24 months). The renal pelvicaliceal system was easily examined by flexible cystoscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

Lap AutoTx is less invasive compared with the traditional two-incisional manner and can be performed safely even among elderly patients. Compared with other currently used therapies, this novel treatment can be used to successfully treat PUC with the added advantages of total resection of the ureteral lesion, preservation of the renal function, and simplification of follow-up procedures.Primary ureteral cancer (PUC) is an aggressive disease and has a poor prognosis.1 Studies have shown high prevalence and invasiveness of PUC in Taiwan.2,3 Nephroureterectomy with excision of the bladder cuff is still believed to be the gold standard treatment for PUC.4 Most PUC occurs among individuals aged more than 60 years, and most of these patients are also at high risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD).5,6 Nephroureterectomy not only results in excessive loss of renal function, but also puts the patient at risk of CKD, which contributes to the progression of end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis. In addition, diminished renal function after nephroureterectomy compromises the possible use of adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced disease.Endoscopic surgery (ES) and segmental resection (SR) can be used for renal preservation in PUC cases, but there still are limitations to these approaches, and indefinite invasive ureteroscopy is required during follow-up. Only a few studies have focused on renal autotransplantation (AutoTx) after extracorporeal total ureterectomy (ETU) for PUC. This type of treatment possesses advantages of total resection of malignant ureteral lesions, preservation of renal function, and simplification of follow-up protocols. In two reported case series, all cases involved surgery performed with the traditional 2-incision approach, and only a few cases involved pure PUC.7,8 We have reported that hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy (HARNU) for the treatment of PUC is less invasive and results in better functional outcomes with fewer complications and comparable oncologic control compared with open nephroureterectomy.9 In this study, we report our experience of this treatment combined with ETU and AutoTx for pure PUC.

Radical nephroureterectomy versus endoscopic procedures for the treatment of localised upper tract urothelial carcinoma: a meta-analysis and a systematic review of current evidence from comparative studies

The conservative management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) has seen important developments over the last 10 years with advances in endoscopy. Our aim was to compare the available evidence regarding the impact of endoscopic nephron sparing procedures (NSP) and radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) on survival of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). A critical review of Pubmed/Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was performed in July 2013 according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. Overall, eight publications were selected for inclusion in this meta-analysis but all of them were retrospective or non-randomised comparative studies. The primary end points were the overall and cancer-specific survivals (OS and CSS) in the two treatment groups. We achieved to pool data on 1002 patients diagnosed with localised UTUC and treated either by endoscopic NSP (n = 322) or by RNU (n = 680). No significant difference was found in terms of OS and CSS between RNU and endoscopic NSP (HR = 1.47 and p = 0.31; HR = 0.96 and p = 0.91, respectively). However, the low level of evidence (3b) and the heterogeneity of the studies limited the quality of the results. In the absence of prospective and randomised studies, the equivalent oncologic control for endoscopic NSP and RNU is not provided by this meta-analysis. Multicentre prospective studies are urgently needed to assess the oncologic outcomes of UTUC with endoscopic management. In the next multicentre studies, the patients should be matched on the basis of the tumour stage (imaging) and grade (biopsy) at diagnosis.

Routine diagnostic ureteroscopy for suspected upper tract transitional-cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Upper tract transitional-cell carcinoma (utTCC) is uncommon. Standard evaluation includes imaging, cytology, and cystoscopy and gold standard treatment is nephroureterectomy (NU) with solid oncologic outcomes and elevated morbidity. In this study, we report on the value of including routine ureteroscopy (URS) for evaluating suspected utTCC in shifting the treatment toward less morbid options and increasing preoperative diagnostic accuracy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Records of patients presenting between 2002 and 2013 with suspected utTCC were reviewed. Since 2010, URS has been included routinely in the evaluation protocol. Demographic, clinical, and pathologic characteristics were recorded and compared between earlier experience (group 1) and with routine URS (group 2). In addition, the number needed to treat (NNT) was calculated with respect to shifting the procedure choice from NU to other options as well as in reducing the rates of misdiagnoses.

RESULTS

A total of 118 patients were included: 63 in group 1 and 55 in group 2. The pathology-confirmed TCC rates were comparable between the two groups (78 vs 85%). The rates of NU decreased with routine URS use from 89% to 69% (P=0.011, NNT=5.05) whereby patients were treated endoscopically or with distal ureterectomy. Misdiagnoses decreased from 15.5% to 2.1% with routine URS (P=0.021, NNT=7.44). Sepsis occurred in two patients after URS.

CONCLUSIONS

In this initial study, routine URS evaluation for suspected utTCC appears to enable an increased use of other treatment choices rather then NU, with an estimated five URS avoiding one NU. Moreover, routine URS reduced the rates of misdiagnosis of TCC. Complications associated with URS may add an additional morbidity burden, however.

Segmental ureterectomy does not compromise the oncologic outcome compared with nephroureterectomy for pure ureter cancer

PURPOSE

Pure ureter cancers are rare and account for only 1-3 % of urothelial carcinomas with limited data. Nowadays, nephron-sparing methods are reserved mainly for imperative cases. This study intends to assess the oncologic outcome between segmental ureterectomy (SU) and radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for pure ureteral urothelial carcinoma.

METHODS

From July 2004 to August 2010, 112 patients at a single tertiary referral center were included. Perioperative data were obtained from our institutional database. Postoperative CT scan, cystoscopy, and contralateral renal echo were performed regularly for survey of disease recurrence.

RESULTS

The mean length of follow-up was 43.8 and 48.3 months for the RNU and SU group, respectively. The bladder recurrences, local recurrences, distant metastasis, and cancer-specific survival rates showed no significant differences between RNU and SU (36.4 vs. 34.2 %, p = 0.83; 23.4 vs. 14.3 %, p = 0.27; and 16.9 vs. 8.6 %, p = 0.244, and 13.0 vs. 5.7 %, p = 0.249, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The study suggested that SU is not inferior to RNU for ureter cancer in oncologic outcomes and is less invasive and better nephron preservation.

Results and outcomes after endoscopic treatment of upper urinary tract carcinoma: the Austrian experience

INTRODUCTION

Through evolution in technology, endoscopic treatment has gained popularity for the treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (ENDO-UTUC).

METHODS

A total of 20 patients with ENDO-UTUC were compared to 178 treated by radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for a pTa-1 UTUC, and a systematic review was performed.

RESULTS

Mean age for ENDO-UTUC was 71.9 ± 16.0 years, and tumor features were favorable (90 % papillary, 14 low grade, 11 pTa). All ENDO-UTUC were performed ureteroscopically. Mean follow-up was 20.4 ± 30 months. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 45 %. Local (LR) and bladder recurrence (BR) was 25 and 15 %. Time to definitive treatment was longer, ASA higher, LR rates higher, OS lower for ENDO-UTUC (all p < 0.001), but no difference was recorded for BR (p = 0.056) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) (p = 0.364). Postoperative kidney function (KF) was better in the ENDO-UTUC (p = 0.048), though preoperative KF showed no difference. The maximal level of evidence was 3b, patients were highly selected, numbers of patients were low, and ASA scores high. OS was rather low and CSS high. LR rate was high (61 %) and BR rate moderate (39 %) for ureteroscopic and 36 and 28 %, respectively, for percutaneous approach.

CONCLUSIONS

LR for ENDO-UTUC is high. In high-grade UTUC, oncological outcome is worse. RNU is associated with a significant loss of KF, but LR is rare. ENDO-UTUC is reserved for selected cases if elective. In imperative cases, it has to be balanced between KF, morbidity of the procedure, risk of operation and tumor control. ENDO-UTUC is not necessarily underused in Austria, because of lack in evidence, but 41 % of all RNU were performed in pTa/pTis/pT1 lesions.

Long-term endoscopic management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma: 20-year single-centre experience

Study Type--Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Endoscopic management of small, low-grade, non-invasive upper tract urothelial cell carcinoma (UTUC) is a management option for selected groups of patients. However, the long-term survival outcomes of endoscopically-managed UTUC are uncertain because only four institutions have reported outcomes of more than 40 patients beyond 50 months of follow-up. Moreover, there is significant variance in the degree of underlying UTUC pathology verification in some of these reports, which precludes an analysis of disease-specific survival outcomes. The present study represents one of the largest endoscopically managed series of patients with UTUC, with a long-term follow-up. The degree of verification of underlying UTUC pathology is one of the highest, which allows a grade-stratified analysis of different outcomes, including upper-tract recurrence-free survival, intravesical recurrence-free survival, renal unit survival and disease-specific survival. These outcomes provide further evidence suggesting that endoscopic management of highly selected, low-grade UTUC can provide effective oncological control, as well as renal preservation, in experienced centres.

OBJECTIVE

• To report the long-term outcomes of patients with upper tract urothelial cell carcinoma (UTUC) who were treated endoscopically (either via ureteroscopic ablation or percutaneous resection) at a single institution over a 20-year period.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• Departmental operation records were reviewed to identify patients who underwent endoscopic management of UTUC as their primary treatment. • Outcomes were obtained via retrospective analysis of notes, electronic records and registry data. • Survival outcomes, including overall survival (OS), UTUC-specific survival (disease-specific survival; DSS), upper-tract recurrence-free survival, intravesical recurrence-free survival, renal unit survival and progression-free survival, were estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods and grade-stratified differences were analyzed using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

• Between January 1991 and April 2011, 73 patients underwent endoscopic management of UTUC with a median age at diagnosis of 67.7 years. • All patients underwent ureteroscopy and biopsy-confirmation of pathology was obtained in 81% (n = 59) of the patients. In total, 14% (n = 10) of the patients underwent percutaneous resection. • Median (range; mean) follow-up was 54 (1-223; 62.8) months. • Upper tract recurrence occurred in 68% (n = 50). Eventually, 19% (n = 14) of the patients proceeded to nephroureterectomy. • The estimated OS and DSS were 69.7% and 88.9%, respectively, at 5 years, and 40.3% and 77.4%, respectively, at 10 years. The estimated mean and median OS times were 119 months and 107 months, respectively. The estimated mean DSS time was 190 months.

CONCLUSIONS

• The present study represents one of the largest reported series of endoscopically-managed UTUC, with high pathological verification and long-term follow-up. • Upper-tract recurrence is common, which mandates regular ureteroscopic surveillance. • However, in selected patients, this approach has a favourable DSS, with a relatively low nephroureterectomy rate, and therefore provides oncological control and renal preservation in patients more likely to die eventually from other causes.