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.

Pattern and risk factors of local recurrence after nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma

Purpose

This study aims to identify predictive local recurrence risk factors and site-specific local recurrence pattern of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) with different primary tumor locations.

Methods

Three hundred and eighty-nine UTUC patients with radical nephroureterectomy were included in this study. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regressions were performed to measure the risk of local recurrence. We also mapped the position of local recurrence sites stratified by primary tumor locations.

Results

A total of 73 patients (18.7%) developed local recurrence within a median follow-up of 41 months (range, 3-80 months). For patients with local recurrence, the median interval of local recurrence was 9 months. Ureter tumor, multifocality, T stage, G grade, lymph node metastasis (LNM), lymph node dissection (LND), and lymph vascular invasion (LVI) were all significantly associated with increased local recurrence by univariable analyses (P < 0.05). Only multifocality, T3–4, G3, and LNM remained independent predictors of increased local recurrence by multivariable analyses. Adjuvant radiotherapy could reduce the local recurrence (HR = 0.177; 95% CI 0.064-0.493, P = 0.001). Patients with local recurrence had poorer cancer-specific survival (4-year cancer-specific survival rate 36 ± 7.5% vs 88.4 ± 2.2%, P = 0.000). We evaluated local recurrence pattern stratified by tumor locations. Para-aortic lymph node region was the most common recurrence area for all the patients. Left-sided UTUC had more than 70% recurrent lymph nodes in the left para-aortic region (LPA). For right-sided UTUC patients, recurrent para-aortic lymph nodes distributed in the LPA (33.3%), aortocaval (AC) (41.5%), and right paracaval (RPC) (25.2%) regions. Recurrence in the internal and external iliac regions was only found in the distal ureter group (P < 0.05). Renal pelvic fossa recurrence was only found in renal pelvic tumor (22.2%, P = 0.007). The ureter tumor bed recurrence rate was higher for ureter patients (P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Multifocality, T3–4, G3, and LNM are predictors of higher local recurrence rate of UTUC. Adjuvant radiotherapy can reduce local recurrence rate. Local recurrence patterns are different according to primary tumor locations.

Impact of squamous differentiation on intravesical recurrence and prognosis of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma

Background

The prognostic role of squamous differentiation in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is still unclear. This article describes the impact of squamous differentiation on prognosis and intravesical recurrence of patients with primary UTUC treated with radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).

Methods

Totally, we retrieved (I) 669 histologically confirmed UTUC patients without histologic variants; (II) 101 UTUC patients with squamous differentiation in our institution, dating from April 2003 to April 2016. The clinical pathological characteristics and survival outcomes were compared between these two cohorts.

Results

In our study, 13% UTUC patients were detected with squamous differentiation. The mean age of all the patients examined was 66, of whom 70% were males. Squamous differentiation significantly associated with tumor stage, tumor grade and lymphovascular invasion. The Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses showed that presence of squamous differentiation was correlated with shorter cancer specific survival of UTUC patients. The 5-year cancer specific survival rates were 47% for squamous differentiation-present patients and 63% for squamous differentiation-absent patients. UTUC patients with squamous differentiation showed a higher frequency of high-grade disease in advanced stage (pT2/pT3/pT4), while the discrepancy was not shown in early stage (pTa/pT1). Intravesical recurrence was observed in 27% patients. We found that intravesical recurrence had little impact on the cancer specific survival of squamous differentiation-present patients, yet it tended to decrease cancer specific survival among squamous differentiation-absent patients.

Conclusions

The presence of squamous differentiation in UTUC patients was a vital prognostic factor for cancer specific survival and correlated with intravesical recurrence after receiving RNU.

Salvage lymphadenectomy for isolated cervical lymph node recurrence after curative resection of thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background

Patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) often display recurrence in the cervical lymph nodes after surgery. The optimal treatment strategy for these patients has not been established. We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent salvage lymphadenectomy plus adjuvant radiotherapy/chemotherapy for recurrence limited to the cervical lymph nodes to explore whether salvage treatment could provide an opportunity for curing these patients and to observe the prognostic factors for the patients after salvage treatment.

Methods

All patients with ESCC who underwent esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy and who were diagnosed with a relapse in the cervical nodes between 2007 to 2014. All cases received salvage lymphadenectomy plus adjuvant radiotherapy/chemotherapy. Their clinical characteristics and outcomes were analysed.

Results

A total of 66 patients were diagnosed with recurrence in the cervical nodes after esophagectomy. Among these patients, 21 (31.8%) relapsed 6 months after esophagectomy and 45 (68.2%) recurrences were found 6 months later. Solitary cervical node recurrence was found in 31 (47.0%) patients while 35 (53.0%) cases showed multiple node relapse. Fifty-four (81.8%) patients underwent radical resection while 12 (18.2%) received reduction surgery. The univariate survival analysis showed that patients with solitary cervical node relapse had a better prognosis than patients with multiple node relapse (P=0.001). Patients who were diagnosed with a recurrence in 6 months after esophagectomy had worse outcomes than patients who relapsed 6 months later (P=0.007). Patients who underwent radical salvage lymphadenectomy had better survival than patients who underwent reduction dissection (P=0.004). The number of positive nodes at esophagectomy (3 or more/2 or less) and surgical treatment for recurrence (reduction/radical surgery) were found to have independent prognostic values by multivariate analysis, whereas the other two factors were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Salvage cervical lymphadenectomy plus adjuvant radiotherapy/chemotherapy is an effective and safe treatment for ESCC patients who develop cervical lymph node recurrence after curative esophagectomy. A lower primary N stage and radical resection of recurrent nodes were found to have independent prognostic values for these patients.

Lymphovascular invasion as an independent prognostic indicator in radically resected thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background

The prognostic value of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in esophageal cancer remains controversial. This study investigated the impact of LVI on prognosis in thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

A total of 1586 patients who underwent radical esophagectomy were selected for the study. Correlations between LVI and clinicopathological features were evaluated by χ² test. Univariate analysis of the survival curve was conducted using the Kaplan–Meier method. Multivariate analysis was carried out by Cox regression. The Akaike information criterion (AIC) and the concordance index (c‐index) were employed to assess model prognostic accuracy of different pN staging systems.

Results

The presence of LVI was detected in 406 of 1586 (25.6%) patients. LVI frequency was significantly higher in patients with higher pN classifications (P < 0.001). LVI had independent significant prognostic value in ESCC (P < 0.001). In subgroup analyses, the presence of LVI significantly decreased overall survival in pN0, pN2, and pN3 stage patients. The AIC value of the pN staging system modified by LVI was lower than that of the current pN staging system, while the c‐index of the modified pN staging system was higher than that of the current pN staging system.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that LVI is an independent prognostic indicator in radically resected thoracic ESCC. LVI could potentially supplement the pN ESCC staging system. ESCC patients with LVI could be staged at more advanced pN classifications.

Adjuvant radiotherapy for locally advanced upper tract urothelial carcinoma

There is relatively little literature on adjuvant radiotherapy after radical nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision (RNU) for patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). This study was designed to determine the efficacy of adjuvant radiotherapy for patients with pT3N0M0 UTUC. We retrospectively reviewed 198 patients treated with RNU between December 2001 and January 2015. Postoperative radiotherapy was administered in 40 (20.2%) of patients. Patients who received radiotherapy were younger than those that did not (65.2 vs. 70.5 years, p = 0.023). With median follow up of 29.1 months, Kaplan-Meier analysis with the log-rank test demonstrated no significant differences between those omitting vs receiving adjuvant radiotherapy in regards to 2-year rates of overall survival (72.0% vs. 73.4%, p = 0.979), cancer-specific survival (73.2% vs. 75.3%, p = 0.844), and recurrence-free survival (61.2% vs. 66.3%, p = 0.742). However, in multivariable analysis with Cox regression, young age, absence of chronic kidney disease, negative lymphovascular invasion, negative surgical margin, and adjuvant chemotherapy were also associated with better cancer-specific survival. In conclusion, adjuvant radiotherapy did not offer any significant benefit in terms of overall, cancer-specific, and recurrence-free survivals in patients with pT3N0M0 UTUC after RNU. More effective systemic adjuvant chemotherapy is necessary to improve the outcome of these patients.

Managing noninvasive recurrences after definitive treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer or high-grade upper tract urothelial carcinoma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Approximately 50% of patients with muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma will relapse with distant recurrence. Though rates of local recurrence after definitive therapy have improved, management remains a challenge. In this review, treatment strategies for this cohort are re-examined in an effort to enhance patient outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Urothelial carcinoma continues to demonstrate high rates of recurrence and low rates of survival. Similarly to the treatment of primary urothelial cancer, treatment of recurrence focuses on cytology, stage, and clinical characteristics. Current areas of interest have focused on identification and causes/predictors of recurrence.

SUMMARY

Limited progress has been achieved in differentiating management of recurrent urothelial carcinoma from the treatment of primary urothelial carcinoma. However, there may be an increasing role for endoscopic and organ conserving therapies for carefully selected patients with recurrent noninvasive urothelial carcinoma. Identifying those at risk for early recurrence and early diagnosis of recurrence may be the most beneficial future strategies. The treatment regimen for noninvasive bladder recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma should include intravesical chemotherapy or Bacillus Calmette-Guerin to prevent further bladder recurrence or tumor progression. We do not advocate diversion sparing techniques for local recurrence after radical cystectomy. Metastasectomy for distant/metastatic urothelial carcinoma recurrence represents a promising area of future study.

Lower urinary tract cancer

Lower urinary tract neoplasia is uncommon in dogs and cats, though transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most common tumor of the lower urinary tract in both species. Clinical signs are not specific for neoplasia, but neoplasia should be considered in patients that are older, have specific risk factors, or have persistent, severe, or relapsing signs. Local disease is often the cause of death or euthanasia; local control is challenging owing to tumor size and location. Systemic therapy is the mainstay of treatment. Prognosis is generally guarded, but therapy can result in improvement in clinical signs and quality of life.

[Use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the treatment of urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract]

Urothelial carcinomas of the upper urinary tract are rare entities. Surgery remains the mainstay of the management. The use of others therapeutic modalities is not clearly defined yet. However, the frequency of local recurrence and locoregional encourage us to evaluate the indication of adjuvant therapies. We conducted a synthesis of key data in the literature on the use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the treatment of urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter. A literature search on PubMed was performed using the following keywords (MeSH) "urothelial carcinoma", "upper urinary tract", "radiation", "chemotherapy", and adjuvant.

Preoperative C-reactive protein in the serum: a prognostic biomarker for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma treated with radical nephroureterectomy

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of preoperative serum C-reactive protein (CRP) on clinicopathological features and prognosis in patients with upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data of 265 patients from three German centers who underwent RNU for UTUC without neoadjuvant chemotherapy between 1990 and 2012 were evaluated. Mean follow-up was 37 months (interquartile range 9-48). CRP was analyzed as a categorical and continuous variable for the prediction of recurrence-free survival (RFS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and all-cause survival (ACS) using uni- and multivariate Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

The optimal cutoff for CRP was calculated by the Youden index at 0.90 mg/dl. Elevated CRP was significantly associated with pT3/4 and pN+ in a preoperative model including age, gender, tumor multifocality, tumor localization and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status. In a multivariable Cox regression model adjusted for features significant in univariable analysis, categorized and continuous CRP levels were both independent predictors for RFS [hazard ratio (HR) 1.18, p = 0.050; HR 1.03, p = 0.012] and DSS (HR 1.61, p = 0.026; HR 1.06, p = 0.001). Continuous CRP was an independent predictor for ACS (HR 1.05, p = 0.036).

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated preoperative CRP is significantly associated with aggressive tumor biology and an independent predictor for poor survival after RNU. Preoperative serum CRP represents an easily obtainable and cost-effective marker in UTUC and may help in counseling patients with regard to operative management and/or adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapies.