Urethral remnant tumors following simultaneous partial urethrectomy and cystectomy for bladder carcinoma

Partial urethrectomy (at least to the bulbous portion) was performed simultaneously in 128 consecutive male patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. Transitional cell carcinoma developed subsequently in the distal urethral remnant in 5 patients (4.0%) followed for 2.6 to 5.7 years (mean 4.1 years) postoperatively. These 5 patients originally had nonpapillary, multifocal and histologically high grade (5) and low stage (4) bladder cancer, 4 with associated carcinoma in situ. Our results suggest that simultaneous total urethrectomy should be considered strongly for patients with high grade nonpapillary multifocal bladder cancer associated with carcinoma in situ. Furthermore, the pattern of distal urethral recurrence in our patients may provide information regarding the appropriate management of the male urethra in potential candidates for continent urinary diversion.     

The remnant urothelium after reconstructive bladder surgery

The pathology of the remnant urinary tract in an increasing population of cystectomy patients with orthotopic and heterotopic bladder substitution due to primary bladder carcinoma, and its management is discussed. The incidence of urethral tumours in primary or recurrent bladder cancer in long-term studies is approximately 6% for male and 2% for female patients. Risk factors for urethral tumour occurrence are tumours at the bladder neck and recurrent multifocal tumours. CIS of the bladder not involving the bladder neck, and muscle invasive tumours with or without lymph node involvement are not significantly correlated with urethral cancer. Those patients at risk for urethral tumours need additional work-up (multiple urethral biopsies and/or urethral brushings, frozen section of the membranous urethra) before an orthotopic lower urinary tract reconstruction to the urethra should be considered. In a large series of male patients, the majority of patients with urethral tumours had a single conservative treatment session, and did not recur thereafter demonstrating the feasibility of a conservative approach for superficial urethral tumour recurrences in patients with an orthotopic neo-bladder to the urethra. The incidence of upper tract tumours following cystectomy and lower urinary tract reconstruction lies between 2.4-17%. In a group of 258 patients with an orthotopic bladder substitution, we have seen an incidence of 3.5%. Tumour multifocality, carcinoma in situ in the bladder and/or distal ureter, locally advanced bladder tumour stage, and invasion of the intramural ureter were seen as risk factors in some series. A tendency for a higher incidence can be seen in those series with longer follow-up. The median time between cystectomy and diagnosis of upper tract tumours lies between 8 and 69 months in most series. A longer observation period in larger numbers of patients with an orthotopic neo-bladder and longer survival rates in general after cystectomy may reveal an increase in the incidence of upper tract tumours over the next decade.     

Urethral recurrence after cystoprostatectomy for bladder carcinoma

Eighty-nine male patients underwent cystoprostatectomy for bladder carcinoma. Prophylactic urethrectomy was performed only on 7 patients whose tumour extended to or beyond the bladder neck. During the follow-up period 9 of 82 patients (11%) developed a urethral recurrence. Eight out of these 9 patients had carcinoma in situ or multiple papillary tumours in the bladder. Of all those patients who had carcinoma in situ, either primary or concomitant with papillary tumour, 18% developed urethral recurrence. The corresponding figure for patients with multiple tumours in the bladder was 15%. Thus the presence of carcinoma in situ or multiple tumours in the bladder seem to be important risk factors for urethral recurrence after cystoprostatectomy.     

Urinary undiversion by cecoileourethroplasty and pubovaginal sling operation

A continent urinary undiversion was performed on a woman who had previously had a cystectomy and ileal loop urinary diversion for intractable interstital cystitis. The first stage consisted of isolation of an ileocecal segment and detubularization to create a low-pressure reservoir. The ileocecal valve was then intussuscepted and and reinforced. The proximal ileum was tapered and anastomosed to the urethral stump. The second stage involved excision of the ileal loop stoma, creating a nipple in the distal ileal loop conduit, and anastomosing this nipple into the reservoir to prevent reflux. A pubovaginal sling was performed to prevent stress incontinence. The patient is continent and empties her bladder by intermittent self-catheterization. She is doing well 3 years after the operation.     

Complications of the Miami pouch.

The Miami pouch, a continent colonic urinary reservoir, was constructed in 75 patients after cystectomy for invasive bladder tumor (44), gynecological tumor (25), neurogenic bladder (4) and conversion of an ileal conduit (2). Continence was achieved by tapering the distal ileum over a 14F catheter and reinforcing the ileocecal valve with 3 circumferential silk sutures in a pursestring fashion. Ureterocolonic anastomosis was performed in a nontunneled fashion. There were 5 perioperative deaths. One or more early (perioperative) complications occurred in 19 patients (26%). Late complications (beyond 6 weeks) were found in 16 patients (23%). Total continence rate was 98.6% and the success rate of the ureterocolonic anastomosis was 90%. Followup was 7 to 69 months. We present a review of the technical aspects of the construction of the Miami pouch, and the early and late complications associated with this procedure.     

Urethral recurrence following radical cystectomy

We reviewed the clinical courses of 86 men after radical cystoprostatectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder to determine who were at highest risk for urethral recurrence. We assessed patients for prostatic involvement as well as tumor extent in the bladder and distal ureters. Of the 30 patients with tumor in the prostate 11 (37%) suffered urethral recurrences. Of the 56 patients with all other types of tumor involvement patterns exclusive of disease in the prostate only 2 (4%) had recurrence. We recommend rigorous screening for transitional cell carcinoma of the prostate before cystectomy. Prophylactic urethrectomy is indicated for patients with prostatic involvement, while those without such involvement may be considered at low risk for urethral recurrence.     

The S-bladder--a complete continent antireflux functional replacement of the bladder sphincter muscle function

The S-bladder, developed on the basis of the Parks S-pouch, is a continent ileourethrostomy with antireflux implantation of the ureters via a nipple valve. It provides a low-pressure reservoir with a large capacity and allows voiding in the natural way by means of abdominal straining. Reflux is reliably prevented by use of the antireflux nipple valve already familiar from the Kock pouch. If continence during day and night cannot be achieved with the distal sphincter mechanism alone an artificial sphincter can be implanted at the bulbous urethra in men and around the urethral stump in women. Since 1986 16 patients have received S bladders following cystectomy, and implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter has been necessary in 7. All patients are continent by both day and night. The overall complication rate has been low. For 15 patients it is possible to empty the bladder solely by abdominal straining, while in 4 cases additional self-catheterization is necessary. In most cases the urine remains sterile, and gross electrolyte disturbances and acidosis have never been observed. Our indications were: bladder carcinoma in men (T1-2NoMo) with carcinoma-free prostatic urethra, nonfunctional neurogenic bladder, and shrunken bladder following infection or radiation. Psychological acceptance of the procedure, which allows natural voiding with no kind of abdominal wall stoma even after cystectomy, has been excellent.     

Management of the urethra in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder carcinoma

Computerized data on 174 male patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder carcinoma were studied in relationship to the incidence of urethral involvement. Simultaneous or delayed urethrectomies were done on 32 patients, 7 of whom had overt urethral carcinoma (4 per cent of the total number of male patients) and 10 of whom had carcinoma in situ (5.7 per cent of the total number of male patients). The low incidence of these 2 phenomena leads us to the conclusion that routine urethrectomy need not be done on patients undergoing radical cystectomy unless overt urethral carcinoma or positive margins are found at cystectomy. We believe that the use of urethral cytologies is crucial to the routine followup of patients who have undergone radical cystectomy for bladder cancer and should be combined with clinical followup to establish the indication for urethrectomy.     

Value of routine frozen section analysis of urethral margin in male patients undergoing radical cystectomy in predicting prostatic involvement

Purpose

To prospectively investigate diagnostic value of routine frozen section analysis (FSA) of urethral margin for male patients undergoing cystectomy for bladder cancer.

Materials and methods

One hundred consecutive male patients were subjected to radical cystectomy for bladder cancer with routine FSA obtained from distal prostatic urethral margin. Definitive pathological condition of the specimens was reviewed to diagnose urethral?±?prostatic malignant involvement. The diagnostic value of FSA was identified and compared with different clinical and pathological predictors. Patients with false-negative results were followed for 5?years.

Results

Six patients showed evidence of malignancy by FSA of the prostatic urethral margin (one patient was false positive), and all were managed by urethrectomy. Prostatic?±?urethral involvement was diagnosed in 15 patients by definitive histopathology (15?%). Sensitivity and specificity of urethral margin frozen section were 33.3 and 98.8?%, respectively, with overall accuracy of 89?% while positive and negative predictive values were 83.3 and 89.4?%, respectively. There was no significant correlation identified between tumor site or morphology, clinical staging, clinically suspicious prostate, cystoscopic involvement of bladder neck, tumor grade, and associated carcinoma in situ or nodal involvement with prostatic malignant involvement. Positive intraoperative FSA was the only predictor significantly associated with malignant urothelial involvement of the prostate. None of the 10 patients with false-negative results developed late urethral recurrence at 5?years.

Conclusion

Intraoperative urethral frozen section shows high predictive diagnostic value of malignant prostatic involvement. Nevertheless, its impact in preventing late urethral recurrence is doubtful.     

Clinical experience of tapered distal ileum for construction of a continent colonic urinary reservoir

Construction of continent colonic urinary reservoir was performed in 44 patients after exenteration for invasive bladder carcinoma or various gynecologic tumors. The distal ileum was tapered over a 14 French red rubber catheter. The ileocecal valve was reinforced with three circumferential silk sutures in a purse-string fashion. Full continence was obtained in all patients (100%). A non-tunneled, non-refluxing ureterocolonic anastomosis was performed in all 88 ureters. No obstruction or reflux was observed in 84 ureters (95%). There were 7 early postoperative complications and 3 of them required reoperation (pelvic abscess 1, urinary leak from ureterocolonic anastomosis 1, pouch-vaginal fistula 1). Moreover, there were 7 late complications and 3 of them required reoperation (stomal stenosis 1, parastomal hernia 2). These results suggest that this method is a safe, simple and useful one for permanent urinary diversion.     

Bolsa ileocecal con utilización del apéndice como neouretra en pacientes dispuestos a sustitución vesical ortotópica: descripción de la técnica

IntroductionThe authors describe the technique of orthotopic bladder replacement with an ileocecal pouch and unaltered appendix used as an orthotopic urethral substitute. Additional procedures with regard to the bothersome voiding symptoms will be described.Material and methodsIn a small cohort of 5 patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer with tumor involvement of the bladder neck or proximal urethra (2 males/3 females) we performed the following reconstruction. A low pressure reservoir was achieved by antimesenteric longitudinal transection of terminal ileum and cecum/colon ascendens and formation of a pouch. To develop the neourethra, the appendix together with its accompanying mesentery was drawn through the pelvic floor and sutured to the bulbar urethra in males or formed as a complete neourethra in female patients respectively.ResultsThere were no intraoperative nor early postoperative unwanted sequelae. Both male patients experienced recurrent anastomotic urethral stricture, consequently a Memokath stent and artificial urinary sphincter was implanted resulting in normal voluntary micturition. All female patients remained socially continent during the follow up period, one of them performing clean intermittent catheterization (CIC).ConclusionThe technique described offers the possibility of orthotopic bladder replacement even in traditionally unsuitable, but highly motivated patients, who are requesting orthotopic bladder replacement for improved body image. It allows extension of urethral resection and provides additional continence support. However, additional measures such as urethral stenting, CIC or artificial urinary sphincter implantation may be necessary for long lasting success. Although, not being a routine method for urinary diversion this technique may be used in select patients.     

Prospective Pathologic Analysis of Female Cystectomy Specimens: Risk Factors for Orthotopic Diversion in Women

Objectives. To prospectively evaluate our previously established pathologic risk factors in women undergoing cystectomy for bladder cancer and to determine if these criteria identify appropriate female candidates for orthotopic diversion.Methods. Prospective pathologic evaluation was performed on 71 consecutive female cystectomy specimens removed for primary transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. The histologic grade, pathologic stage, presence of carcinoma in situ, number, and location of tumors were determined. In addition, final pathologic analysis of the bladder neck and proximal urethra was performed and compared with the intraoperative frozen-section analysis of the distal margin (proximal urethra).Results. Tumor at the bladder neck and proximal urethra was seen in 14 (19%) and 5 (7%) cystectomy specimens, respectively. Bladder neck tumor involvement was found to be the most significant risk factor for tumor involving the urethra (P <0.001). All patients with urethral tumors demonstrated concomitant bladder neck tumors. However, more than 60% of patients with bladder neck tumors had a normal (tumor-free) proximal urethra. Furthermore, no patient with a normal bladder neck demonstrated tumor involvement of the urethra. Intraoperative frozen-section analysis of the distal surgical margin was performed on 47 patients: 45 without evidence of tumor and 2 patients with urethral tumor involvement. In all cases, the intraoperative frozen-section analysis was correctly confirmed by final permanent section. Conclusions. We prospectively demonstrate that bladder neck tumor involvement is a significant risk factor for urethral tumor involvement in women. However, despite bladder neck tumor involvement, a number of women undergoing cystectomy for bladder cancer have a normal urethra and may be candidates for orthotopic diversion. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that intraoperative frozen-section analysis of the distal surgical margin accurately and reliably evaluates the proximal urethra and currently determines which patients undergo orthotopic diversion at our institution.     

Continent vesicostomy with an ileal conduit. A case report

A patient is described who had construction of a vesicocutaneous ileal conduit with a continent intussusception valve allowing for intermittent self-catheterisation. The procedure was performed on a 13-year-old male patient with a normal bladder but with a totally unreconstructable urethra as a result of previous traumatic urethral disruption and unsuccessful urethral alignment procedures.     

Long-term urinary continence and renal function in neonates with posterior urethral valves

Posterior urethral valves are known to be associated with considerable morbidity and mortality especially in the neonate. Recently the role of bladder dysfunction in the pathophysiology of renal function impairment and urinary incontinence after valve ablation has been questioned. From 1976 to 1986 we treated 50 male newborns with posterior urethral valves at our institution. Initial treatment in all cases consisted of bladder drainage by a urethral catheter, and correction of existing fluid and electrolyte abnormalities. Subsequent treatment was dictated by the degree of upper tract abnormalities and it included valve ablation alone in 24 patients, vesicostomy and later valve ablation in 8, valve ablation and later upper tract reconstruction in 14 and cutaneous ureterostomy in 4. Followup ranges from 2 to 12 years (mean 6.8). Long-term renal functional impairment was related to the serum creatinine at age 1 year. If the serum creatinine was below 1.0 mg.% all patients (31) had normal values at long-term followup and if it was greater than 1.0 mg.% (19) then only 7 patients had normal values at followup. Urinary continence was assessed in 42 patients and it was normal in 34 (81%). The etiology of incontinence in the remaining 8 patients was bladder dysfunction in 6 and sphincter incompetence in 2. Those patients with urinary incontinence also had a high incidence of upper tract abnormalities (6 of 8, 75%) compared to continent valve patients (10 of 34, 29%).     

排尿期尿道压力测定在膀胱出口梗阻疾病诊断中的应用

目的　研究排尿期尿道压力测定 (MUPP)在膀胱出口梗阻 (BOO)疾病诊断中的应用。方法　下尿路梗阻患者 4 5例 ,其中良性前列腺增生 (BPH) 38例 ,前尿道狭窄 3例 ,女性尿道狭窄 4例。对照组为健康志愿者 4例。按常规方法行压力 流率测定 ,静态尿道压力测定 (UPP)及MUPP。以压力下降梯度计算梗阻程度。数据分析采用t检验。研究不同疾病梗阻患者尿道压力下降点及下降梯度 ,MUPP对梗阻部位的诊断价值 ,MUPP与压力 流率研究对可疑梗阻诊断的比较 ,MUPP与压力 流率研究判断梗阻程度的比较。　结果　对照组 2例男性 ,外括约肌以上尿道内压与膀胱内压力相等 ,尿道压在外括约肌处快速下降 ;2例女性 ,膀胱压与全部尿道压几乎相等 ,尿道末端 1cm处尿道压下降。 38例BPH患者最大排尿压增高 ,平均为 (99.33± 4 1.0 9)cmH2 O(1cmH2 O =0 .0 98kPa) ,尿道压力在膀胱颈或前列腺尖部下降。 3例前尿道狭窄患者后尿道近端压力与膀胱压相等 ,球部及远端尿道压力下降。 4例女性远端尿道狭窄患者尿道压力在狭窄远端区域下降。BPH、前尿道狭窄、女性远端尿道狭窄平均MUPP压力下降梯度分别为 (71.6 3± 37.4 1)cmH2 O、(43.5 1± 15 .71)cmH2 O、(41.4 8± 17.34)cmH2 O ,与正常对照组的 (2 4 .2 5± 2 .99)cmH2 O相比 ,差别有     

Ureteral carcinoma in situ after successful intravesical therapy for superficial bladder tumors: incidence, possible pathogenesis and management

A total of 66 patients with multifocal, progressive, flat carcinoma in situ of the bladder responded completely to intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy for more than 1 year. Of the patients 19 (29 per cent) had clinical evidence of distal ureteral carcinoma in situ between 13 and 30 months (median 15 months) after bacillus Calmette-Guerin treatment. After evaluation of a positive urinary cytology study failed to reveal recurrent urothelial tumor of the bladder or prostatic urethral mucosa 6 patients underwent distal ureterectomy, 2 underwent nephroureterectomy, and 11 were managed by ureteroscopic resection and fulguration. In patients with carcinoma in situ of the bladder treated successfully with topical therapy the ureters represent a potential site of in situ carcinoma.     

Superficial bladder cancer treated by total cystectomy: Tumour characteristics and patient survival

Of 113 patients with bladder cancer who underwent total cystectomy from January 1980 to December 1990, 30 (27%) had superficial tumours (pTa, pTis, and pT1). Nineteen of these 30 patients (63%) were primarily treated by total cystectomy and the remaining 11 (37%) had a past history of treatment for bladder cancer. Major reasons for choice of total cystectomy were multifocal tumours, frequent recurrence, and diffuse carcinoma in situ. Histologically stage pT1, grade 3 tumours were frequently accompanied by carcinoma in situ and often by lymphatic invasion. None of the 24 patients undergoing pelvic lymphadenectomy had lymph node metastasis. Of 25 male patients 15 (60%) underwent simultaneous prophylactic urethrectomy. Two of the remaining 10 males (20%) not undergoing this additional operation died of subsequent urethral recurrence. The 5-year actuarial survival rate was 80% for the 30 patients when all causes of death were considered. It was concluded that patients with superficial bladder cancer who undergo total cystectomy without prophylactic urethrectomy require close follow-up with urethral washings for cytology to detect early urethral recurrence, an important determinant for survival.     

DOES PROSTATE TRANSITIONAL CELL CARCINOMA PRECLUDE ORTHOTOPIC BLADDER RECONSTRUCTION AFTER RADICAL CYSTOPROSTATECTOMY FOR BLADDER CANCER?

Purpose

We determined if urethral preservation and orthotopic bladder replacement in patients with transitional cell carcinoma within the prostatic urethra or prostate placed these patients at risk for urethral recurrence or death.

Materials and Methods

The clinical course of all patients undergoing urethral preservation and orthotopic bladder replacement was reviewed. The urethra was sacrificed only if the distal prostatic urethral margin was positive for transitional cell carcinoma. The pathological T stage and the grade of the primary malignancy, local recurrence, site of recurrence (urethral, pelvic, distant) and death were documented.

Results

Of 81 patients, 70 were evaluated (June 1996) with a mean followup of 35 months. Of the 70 patients 48 were alive without evidence of disease for a mean of 38 months (range 8 to 107) and 5 died without evidence of disease. Eight of these 53 patients (15%) had prostatic involvement (carcinoma in situ in 6, intraductal carcinoma in 1 and stromal invasive transitional cell carcinoma in 1). Of the 70 patients 17 had disease recurrence (13 died of disease and 4 are alive, 1 of whom had urethral recurrence without initial prostatic transitional cell carcinoma). Of the 17 patients (35%) 6 had transitional cell carcinoma prostatic involvement (carcinoma in situ in 4 and stromal invasion in 2), and 5 of these 6 died, none with or of urethral recurrence but of the primary bladder pathology. Of these 5 patients 1 had stromal invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the prostate and experienced a bulbar urethra recurrence at 1 month and a pelvic recurrence at 3 months, and died at 5 months. Death was not secondary to the urethral recurrence. Thus, of the 14 patients who had prostatic transitional cell carcinoma, only 1 had urethral recurrence (7%), and this recurrence did not present as the cause of death.

Conclusions

The guidelines for urethral resection can be relaxed, increasing the opportunities for orthotopic reconstruction, without placing the patients at increased risk for death of transitional cell carcinoma.     

Initial experience with robot-assisted minimally-invasive nephroureterectomy

PURPOSE: Various techniques have been described for laparoscopic nephroureterectomy. We reviewed our initial experience of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with robot-assisted extravesical excision of the distal ureter and bladder cuff. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine consecutive patients aged 43 to 83 years underwent laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) between August 2005 and March 2007. The first five patients were repositioned after laparoscopic nephrectomy from flank to lithotomy position to dock the robot for excision of the distal ureter and bladder cuff by a single surgeon. In contrast, the last four patients remained in flank position throughout the entire procedure, with the robot docked in flank position following laparoscopic nephrectomy. A two-layer closure re-approximated the cystotomy and a urethral catheter was left in place for a mean of 5 days. RESULTS: Eight men and one woman with a mean age of 64.2 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 28.4 kg/m(2) underwent flexible cystoscopy and laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for five right-sided and four left-sided tumors. Mean operative time was 303 minutes (range 210-430 minutes), estimated blood loss was 211 mL (range 50-700 mL), and mean length of hospital stay was 2.3 days. Pathologic staging revealed T(3) for five (55.6%), T(a) for two (22.2%), carcinoma in situ (CIS) for two (22.2%) patients, and high-grade disease for seven (77.8%) patients. With a mean follow-up of 16.2 months (range 4.3-24.3 months), three patients with a history of bladder cancer have experienced recurrence in the bladder, and one of the three has also developed metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with robot-assisted extravesical excision of the distal ureter and bladder cuff appears to be a feasible alternative for patients with TCC of the upper urinary tract.     

Transitional cell carcinoma of the urethra in men following cystectomy for bladder cancer: multivariate analysis for risk factors

Multicentric development of transitional cell carcinoma in the urinary tract is well recognized. Of 169 male patients who underwent cystectomy for bladder cancer 18 (10.6%) demonstrated urethral cancer (all within 5 years after cystectomy). The risk factors involved in transitional cell carcinoma in regard to the occurrence of urethral cancer after cystectomy were examined by multivariate analysis. Characteristic patterns of bladder cancer in the cystectomy specimens were expressed by the grade, stage, number, size, location and gross pattern of the tumors. Significant risk factors in bladder cancer relating to the development of cancer in the retained urethra were papillary cancer, multiple cancers, and tumors in the bladder neck, prostatic urethra and prostatic gland. Among 19 patients with concomitant carcinoma in situ and/or multiple papillary tumors in the bladder who underwent simultaneous prophylactic urethrectomy with cystectomy in the same observed period 17 (89%) had no lesion in the resected urethra. The results of the multivariate analysis will be useful to avoid unnecessary prophylactic urethrectomy at cystectomy. However, further analysis and consideration of possible mechanisms of the secondary urethral cancer will be necessary to explain the discrepancy posed in the latter study involving 19 patients.