Tang J, Ranasinghe W, Cheng J, Van Es S, Monsour M, Cetti R, Jensen R, Brough S. Utility of Routine Intraoperative Ureteral Frozen Section Analysis at Radical Cystectomy: Outcomes from a Regional Australian Center.
Curr Urol 2019;
12:70-73. [PMID:
31114463 DOI:
10.1159/000489422]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction
The objective of this study was to look at the usefulness and cost effectiveness of intraoperative frozen section analysis (FSA) of the ureters at the time of radical cystectomy.
Methods
Pathology notes of patients undergoing radical cystectomy for primary bladder cancer between the years 2000-2015 at our institution were reviewed.
Results
A total of 196 ureteric specimens from 98 patients were reviewed. Of the 98 patients, 9% (n = 9) had positive ureteric margins, of which all were ≥ T2, with 44% (4 of 9) being T = 4. In all cases of positive FSA, preoperative clinical staging was ≥ T2. In cases where cancer staging was upgraded post-cystectomy, there were no cases of positive FSA. After adjusting for tumor stage in ≥ T2a, using Cox regression analysis, positive frozen section was associated with a 4.2 fold increase in overall mortality (95%CI 1.3-13.8; p = 0.02). Cost associated with FSA was AU$1,351.90 to obtain 1 positive result.
Conclusion
Patients with positive ureteric FSA are at higher risk of mortality post cystectomy, despite excision to negative tissue. However, FSA of the distal ureters at cystectomy were unlikely to be positive unless the bladder cancer stage was ≥ T2. Hence, routine ureteric FSA may not be necessary in patients undergoing cystectomy for non-muscle invasive bladder tumors.
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