Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in patients with interaortocaval lymph node metastases of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary tract

Three patients suffered from renal pelvic, ureteral and bladder cancers that were treated with both standard surgical treatments and two adjuvant cycles of cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy. Metastases of interaortocaval lymph nodes were detected in all patients between 9 and 33 months from the surgery for primary lesions. All patients received three cycles of cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND). The chemotherapy achieved partial response (62-98%). Two patients with viable cancer cells died with hepatic metastases; the first 15 months and the second 25 months from the date of diagnosis of distant lymph node metastasis. The third patient, who had no viable cancer cells, remains alive and disease-free 36 months later. Therefore, RPLND after chemotherapy provides prognostic information that helps to define patients who might benefit from additional systemic chemotherapy.     

Independent predictors of metachronous bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) after nephroureterectomy for TCC of the upper urinary tract

OBJECTIVE

To identify the prognostic factors predictive of metachronous bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in a multi‐institutional dataset of patients who had undergone nephroureterectomy (NU) for nonmetastatic upper urinary tract (UUT) TCC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The clinical and pathological data of 231 patients who had had NU for UUT‐TCC from 1989 to 2005 in three European centres were collected retrospectively, and analysed for clinical and pathological variables.

RESULTS

The median follow‐up was 38 months; during the follow‐up, bladder TCC was detected in 109 patients (47.2%), and was significantly more common in patients who had UUT‐TCC after previous bladder TCC (P < 0.001), in those with ureteric cancer (P = 0.022), and in those with pT2 UUT‐TCC (P = 0.017). On multivariate analysis, a previous history of bladder TCC was the only independent predictor of metachronous bladder TCC (hazard ratio 2.825; P < 0.001). The 5‐year probability of being free from metachronous bladder TCC was 45.5%. A history of bladder TCC (P < 0.001) and UUT tumour site (P = 0.01) were significantly associated with the probability of bladder recurrence‐free survival. On multivariate analyses, a previous history of bladder TCC (hazard ratio 2.226; P < 0.001) and the presence of ureteric TCC (1.562; P = 0.036) were independent predictors of the probabilities of being free from metachronous bladder TCC.

CONCLUSION

In this multi‐institutional study of patients who had had NU for UUT‐TCC, a history of bladder TCC was the only independent predictor of metachronous bladder TCC, while both a history of bladder TCC and the presence of ureteric tumours were predictive of the probabilities of being free from metachronous bladder TCC.     

Prognostic value of lymph node dissection in patients with muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the prognostic role of lymphadenectomy (LND) in patients with muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the upper urinary tract (UUT) managed with radical surgery. METHODS: From 1986 to 2003, 132 consecutive patients with muscle-invasive TCC of the UUT underwent radical surgery. LND was performed in 95 cases. Patients were stratified according to the presence of LND and lymph node (LN) status. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression models determined the effect of age, pT, grade, nodal status (pN), number of LNs removed, year of surgery, and postoperative chemotherapy on disease-free survival (DFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in the overall population and in patients who underwent LND. RESULTS: The actuarial 5-yr CSS in pNx patients was significantly worse than in pN0 patients (48% vs. 73%, p=0.001) and comparable to pN+ outcome (48% vs. 39%, p=0.476). In the entire population, multivariable Cox regression analyses indicated that pT and pN status were independent predictors of DFS (p=0.04, hazard ratio [HR]=1.82 and p<0.01, HR=1.34, respectively) and CSS (p<0.01, HR=2.42 and p=0.04, HR=1.32, respectively). In patients who underwent LND, the number of LNs removed was an independent predictor of DFS (p=0.03, HR=0.928) and of CSS (p=0.007, HR=0.903). The extent of LND again resulted in an independent predictor either of DFS or CSS (p=0.04, HR=0.904 and p=0.01, HR=0.867, respectively) in the subgroup of pN0 patients. CONCLUSIONS: LND emerged as a strong independent predictor of DFS and CSS in patients surgically managed for a muscle-invasive TCC of the UUT.     

Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: Open radical nephroureterectomy has been the standard treatment for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LN) offers the advantages of a minimally invasive approach. We report our experience with both hand-assisted LN (HALN) and total LN. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent HALN and LN for the treatment of localized upper urinary tract TCC between 2001 and 2005. Histology of the operative specimen confirmed urothelial carcinoma in all cases. Their demographic data, perioperative parameters and follow-up data were assessed. RESULTS: There were 31 patients with a median age of 71 years (range 39-82 years). The mean operating time was 236 min (range 120-350 min) and mean blood loss was 365 ml (range 200-2000 ml). There were no conversions to open surgery. The mean length of hospitalization was 7 days (range 3-30 days). Clear oncological margins were achieved in 27 cases. The mean duration of follow-up was 28 months (range 2-55 months). CONCLUSIONS: HALN and LN are safe and effective alternatives to open surgery for the treatment of upper urinary tract TCC. Medium-term follow-up showed favourable oncological results. A larger sample size and a longer follow-up period are required before HALN and LN can be considered standard treatments for upper urinary tract TCC.     

后腹腔镜肾输尿管全切并膀胱袖套状切除治疗上尿路移行细胞癌

目的:探讨后腹腔镜肾输尿管全切并膀胱袖套状切除治疗上尿路移行细胞癌的疗效.方法:对7例上尿路移行细胞癌患者行后腹腔镜下肾脏切除术,经同侧下腹斜切口切除输尿管肿瘤或下段输尿管并行膀胱袖套状切除,完整取出切除的肾输尿管标本.术后常规卡介苗膀胱灌注.结果:手术时间210～240 min;术中出血量80～200 ml;术后8 d出院,无严重并发症发生.随访0.5～1.5年,1例肿瘤局部复发伴肝脏转移,其余无复发.结论:后腹腔镜肾输尿管全切并膀胱袖套状切除治疗上尿路移行细胞癌,是一种安全有效的术式,具有痛苦小、并发症少及患者恢复快等优点.     

后腹腔镜肾输尿管全切加腹膜后肾周区域淋巴结清扫与开放手术治疗UUT-TCC疗效比较

目的:探讨后腹腔镜技术与开放手术治疗上尿路移行细胞癌(upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma,UUT-TCC)的效果及优势。方法:回顾性分析2009年11月~2012年12月间,我院采用后腹腔镜下肾输尿管根治性切除术加腹膜后肾周区域淋巴结清扫术治疗肾盂输尿管癌患者23例(腹腔镜组),并与同期14例行传统开放性肾输尿管切除术患者(开放术组)的手术时间、出血量、肿瘤学预后等指标进行比较。结果:腹腔镜组患者经术后病理检查,肾盂癌24例,输尿管癌10例,输尿管癌伴膀胱癌3例,其中腹腔镜组和开放组淋巴结转移各1例。同时研究发现:①腹腔镜组与开放术组比较,手术时间缩短,出血量明显减少,术后肠胃功能恢复快,术后住院时间短,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);②两种术式肿瘤学预后在远处转移方面,腹腔镜组更少,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:后腹腔镜下肾输尿管全长切除加经尿道膀胱袖状切除并腹膜后肾周区域淋巴结清扫治疗UUT-TCC具有创伤小、痛苦少、术后恢复快等优点,可能有更好的肿瘤学预后。     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: We report our experience with hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (HALN) for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma and compare our results with a contemporary series of open nephroureterectomy (ON) performed at our institution. METHODS: Between August 1996 and May 2003, 90 patients underwent nephroureterectomy for upper-tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). Thirty-eight patients underwent HALN, while 52 had an ON. End-points of comparison included operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), intraoperative and postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, pathologic grade and stage of tumor, and tumor recurrence. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 72.3 and 70.6 years in the ON and HALN groups, respectively. Mean operative duration was 243 minutes (ON) and 244 minutes (HALN), with an EBL of 478mL in the open group versus 191 mL in the hand-assisted group (P<0.001). No intraoperative complications occurred, but postoperative complications occurred in 4% and 11% of the ON and HALN groups, respectively (P=0.21). The mean hospital duration was 7.1 days (ON) versus 4.6 days (HALN) (P<0.01). No difference existed in the pathologic grade or stage distribution of urothelial tumors between the 2 groups. The mean follow-up was 51.0 months in the ON group and 31.7 months in the HALN group. Recurrence of urothelial carcinoma occurred in 50% of patients who underwent ON and 40% treated by HALN (P=0.38) at a median interval of 9.1 and 7.7 months, respectively, after surgery. CONCLUSION: Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy is an effective modality for the treatment of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma. Patients benefited from less intraoperative blood loss and a shorter hospitalization with an equivalent intermediate-term oncologic outcome compared with that of the open approach.     

Oncological outcome of retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To report the oncological outcome of retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy (RNU) with bladder cuff excision for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), and to compare the outcome with that of the traditional open nephroureterectomy (ONU). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2001, 48 patients with upper urinary tract TCC were enrolled in the study; 25 had RNU and 23 had ONU. Oncological parameters (disease-free survival and disease-specific survival) were calculated from the time of surgery to the date of last follow up and were analysed by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Mean follow up was 24.3 months in the RNU group, significantly shorter than in the ONU group. Bladder recurrence was identified in two patients with grade 3 pathological stage pT3, one patient with grade 3 stage pT2 disease and two patients with grade 2 stage pT2 disease. Multiple organ metastases in the lung, liver and lymph nodes were associated with bladder recurrence in two cases (grade 2 stage pT3, and grade 3 stage pT3). The recurrence rate was 20% (5 of 25 cases) and mean time to recurrence was 9.5 months. In the ONU group, bladder recurrence and metastases developed in four and three patients, respectively. The recurrence rate was 17% (4 of 23 cases) and mean time to recurrence was 23.4 months. No significant difference was detected in the disease-free survival rate and cancer-specific survival rate between the two groups (P=0.759 and P=0.866, respectively). CONCLUSION: The oncological outcome of RNU appears to be equivalent to that of ONU. Moreover, long-term follow up is necessary to evaluate the oncological outcome in comparison to ONU.     

后腹腔镜联合尿道电切镜根治性肾输尿管切除治疗上尿路肿瘤3例

目的探讨后腹腔镜联合尿道电切镜根治性肾输尿管切除治疗上尿路移行细胞癌的临床疗效。方法对2例肾盂癌、1例输尿管上段移行细胞癌先采用尿道电切镜行患侧输尿管口膀胱黏膜袖套状切除,而后行后腹腔镜根治性肾输尿管全切术。结果3例手术均获成功,平均手术时间190min,术中出血平均50mL,患者均于术后36~48h下床活动,术后住院时间9~11d(平均10d),术中、术后无严重并发症。结论后腹腔镜联合尿道电切镜根治性肾输尿管切除治疗上尿路肿瘤是一种安全、有效的微创手术方法,实用性较强,具有良好的应用前景。     

手助腹腔镜肾输尿管及膀胱袖套状切除术(附9例报告)

目的：探讨手助腹腔镜肾输尿管及膀胱袖套状切除术的手术技术。方法：采用手助腹腔镜对9例肾盂及输尿管肿瘤患者行肾输尿管及膀胱袖套状切除术,其中肾盂癌5例,输尿管癌4例;男7例,女2例;年龄45～68岁,平均53．5岁。结果：9例手术均成功实施,术后病理检查证实为移行细胞癌。手术时问为150～210min,平均190min,出血量50～200ml,平均150ml。术后恢复快,7～21天后出院,无明显并发症。对所有患者随访2～24个月,无肿瘤复发。结论：采用手助腹腔镜肾输尿管及膀胱袖套状切除术治疗肾盂及输尿管肿瘤具有手术时间短、安全、出血少、损伤小、患者术后恢复快、痛苦小、并发症少等优点。     

Surgical management for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (UUT‐TCC): a systematic review

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (UUT‐TCC) is an aggressive disease. The mainstay in the treatment of UUT‐TCC is surgical intervention, with oncological control the primary objective. UUT‐TCCs have been conventionally treated with radical nephroureterectomy (NU). This procedure involves removal of the kidney, ureter and ipsilateral excision of a bladder cuff. Whilst open NU has traditionally been the approach used, laparoscopic NU (LNU) is now an increasingly popular and established approach for UUT‐TCC. It is argued that LNU reduces postoperative morbidity without compromising oncological efficacy. With technological evolution, robotic NU has now been attempted in some centres as well. In addition, several techniques have been described to manage the bladder cuff with no agreement as to the most efficacious approach. In a further attempt to reduce morbidity and safeguard nephrons, there have been advocates of a number of nephron‐sparing techniques, e.g. ureteroscopic management, percutaneous approaches, and distal ureterectomy. These approaches obviously raise concern on oncological efficacy with requirement for more stringent long‐term surveillance protocols. This study comprehensively reviews and summarises the evidence comparing various surgical techniques in the management of UUT‐TCC. The review additionally evaluates and critically appraises the quality of evidence available, which currently informs practice.

• ? Surgical management of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (UUT‐TCC) has significantly changed over the past two decades. Data for several new surgical techniques, including nephron‐sparing surgery (NSS), is emerging.
• ? The study systematically reviewed the literature comparing (randomised and observational studies) surgical and oncological outcomes for various surgical techniques
• ? MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, British Nursing Index, AMED, LILACS, Web of Science, Scopus, Biosis, TRIP, Biomed Central, Dissertation Abstracts, ISI proceedings, and PubMed were searched to identify suitable studies. Data were extracted from each identified paper independently by two reviewers (B.R. and B.S.) and cross checked by a senior member of the team.
• ? The data analysis was performed using the Cochrane software Review manager version 5. Comparable data from each study was combined in a meta‐analysis where possible. For dichotomous data, odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated based on the fixed‐effects model and according to an intention‐to‐treat analysis. If the data available were deemed not suitable for a meta‐analysis it was described in a narrative fashion.
• ? One randomised control trial (RCT) and 19 observational studies comparing open nephroureterectomy (ONU) and laparoscopic NU (LNU) were identified. The RCT reported the LNU group to have statistically significantly less blood loss (104 vs 430 mL, P < 0.001) and mean time to discharge (2.30 vs 3.65 days, P < 0.001) than the ONU group. At a median follow‐up of 44 months, the overall 5‐year cancer‐specific survival (CSS; 89.9 vs 79.8%) and 5‐year metastasis‐free survival rates (77.4 vs 72.5%) for the ONU were better than for LNU, respectively, although not statistically significant.
• ? A meta‐analysis of the observational studies favoured LNU group for lower urinary recurrence (P < 0.001) and distant metastasis. The meta‐analyses for local recurrence for the two groups were comparable.
• ? One retrospective study comparing ONU with a percutaneous approach for grade 2 disease reported no significant differences in CSS rates (53.8 vs 53.3 months).
• ? Three retrospective studies compared NSS and radical NU, and reported no significant differences in overall CSS and recurrence‐free survival between the two approaches.
• ? Five retrospective studies compared various techniques of en bloc excision of the lower ureter. No technique was reported to be better (operative and oncological) than any other.
• ? This review concludes that there is a paucity of good quality evidence for the various surgical approaches for UUT‐TCC. The techniques have been assessed and reported in many retrospective single‐centre studies favouring LNU for better perioperative outcomes and comparable oncological safety. The reported observational studies data is further supported by one RCT.