Ureteroscopic management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma in patients with normal contralateral kidneys

PURPOSE: The standard treatment for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma in patients with a normal contralateral kidney is nephroureterectomy with a bladder cuff or segmental ureterectomy. We evaluate whether ureteroscopic tumor resection with vigilant surveillance is a safe alternative in select patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with isolated upper tract filling defects on an excretory urogram and a normal contralateral kidney were diagnosed ureteroscopically with papillary low intermediate grade appearing transitional cell carcinoma. Biopsies of the lesions were obtained, and the tumors were treated with laser ablation or electrofulguration in the same sitting. Patients with cytopathological results of high grade transitional cell carcinoma underwent nephroureterectomy. Surveillance consisted of ureteroscopy every 3 months until tumor-free and ureteroscopy every 6 months thereafter. RESULTS: Between 1989 and 1998, 23 patients with normal creatinine (mean 1.0, range 0.7 to 1.6) underwent ureteroscopic resection of unilateral upper tract transitional cell carcinoma. On initial biopsy 22 tumors were grade 1 or 2 and 1 was grade 2 to 3. After the primary tumor was treated 8 (35%) patients remained tumor-free and 15 (65%) had multiple recurrences, which were treated ureteroscopically. Mean followup was 35 months (range 8 to 103 months). All 23 patients are alive without evidence of disease progression. At last followup 4 patients (17%) had persistent disease, 4 (17%) elected to undergo nephroureterectomy and 15 (65%) are free of ipsilateral disease for a mean duration of 17 months (range 6 to 77). CONCLUSIONS: Ureteroscopic treatment of focal low intermediate grade superficial upper tract transitional cell carcinoma is a safe alternative to nephroureterectomy in select patients when vigilant ureteroscopic followup is used.     

Retrograde endoscopic laser therapy and ureteroscopic surveillance for transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of endoscopic laser therapy and ureteroscopic surveillance for transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the upper urinary tract. Methods: Tumors of the upper urinary tract were detected at ureteroscopy. After TCC was diagnosed by biopsy, retrograde endoscopic laser therapy was performed. Recurrent tumors were treated endoscopically and the patients were followed by ureteroscopic surveillance at 3- to 6-month intervals. RESULTS: Seven patients underwent ureteroscopic treatment. The tumor was grade 1 in five patients and grade 2 in two patients. The average tumor size was 1.3 cm. One patient with large, multifocal tumors died of metastatic disease, and one died of an unrelated cause. One patient requested nephroureterectomy after endoscopic treatment. The remaining four patients were followed up for a mean of 32 months after initial treatment. Each patient received an average of 5.3 ureteroscopic surveillance procedures while 3.3 recurrences on average were detected. Recurrence occurred in all the patients who showed normal radiographic findings. Urine cytology was also of little value in predicting tumor recurrence, except in one patient with carcinoma in situ. The recurrent tumors detected by ureteroscopy were successfully treated by repeated endoscopic procedures. After the follow up, three patients remained alive with no signs indicative of disease, but one patient with an initial grade 2 tumor died of recurrence after 30 months. CONCLUSIONS: Given that ureteroscopic evaluation is essential for surveillance after endoscopic treatment of upper urinary tract TCC because of residual concern about recurrence, patients treated endoscopically should be recommended to undergo long-term endoscopic follow up.     

Upper tract urothelial recurrence following radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: an analysis of 1,069 patients with 10-year followup

PURPOSE: Risk factors for upper tract recurrence following radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder are not yet well-defined. We reviewed our population of patients who underwent radical cystectomy to identify prognostic factors and clinical outcomes associated with upper tract recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From our prospective database of 1,359 patients who underwent radical cystectomy we identified 1,069 patients treated for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder between January 1985 and December 2001. Univariate analysis was completed to determine factors predictive of upper tract recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 853 men and 216 women were followed for a median of 10.3 years (maximum 18.5). There were 27 (2.5%) upper tract recurrences diagnosed at a median of 3.3 years (range 0.4 to 9.3). Only urethral tumor involvement was predictive of upper tract recurrence. In men superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the prostatic urethra was associated with an increased risk of upper tract recurrence compared with prostatic stromal invasion or absence of prostatic transitional cell carcinoma (p <0.01). In women urethral transitional cell carcinoma was associated with an increased risk of upper tract recurrence (p = 0.01). Despite routine surveillance 78% of upper tract recurrence was detected after development of symptoms. Median survival following upper tract recurrence was 1.7 years (range 0.2 to 8.8). Detection of asymptomatic upper tract recurrence via surveillance did not predict lower nephroureterectomy tumor stage, absence of lymph node metastases or improved survival. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with bladder cancer are at lifelong risk for late oncological recurrence in the upper tract urothelium. Patients with evidence of tumor involvement within the urethra are at highest risk. Surveillance regimens frequently fail to detect tumors before symptoms develop. However, radical nephroureterectomy can provide prolonged survival.     

Diagnostic Accuracy of Ureteroscopic Biopsy in Upper Tract Transitional Cell Carcinoma

Purpose

Our aim was to determine the accuracy of ureteroscopic biopsies and cytological techniques compared to open surgical specimens of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma.

Materials and Methods

From 1985 to 1995, 51 cases of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma were diagnosed ureteroscopically and distal ureterectomy or nephroureterectomy was performed. Each patient underwent direct ureteroscopic inspection and biopsy. Fresh samples were delivered to the cytopathology laboratory, where they were examined using cytospin and smear. A cell block was prepared when visible tissue was present. Grades of ureteroscopic biopsies were compared to grades and stages of surgical specimens in 42 cases.

Results

Cytological evaluation was positive for malignancy in 48 of the 51 cases (94.1%). Grading of ureteroscopic specimens was possible in 42 cases (82.4%). Transitional cell carcinoma grade on ureteroscopy accurately predicted tumor grade and stage in the surgical specimens. Of 30 low or moderate grade ureteroscopic specimens 27 (90%) proved to be low or moderate grade transitional cell carcinoma in the surgical specimens, while 11 of the 12 high grade ureteroscopic specimens (91.6%) proved to be high grade transitional cell carcinoma (p <0.0001). Of 30 low or moderate grade ureteroscopic specimens 26 (86.6%) had a low stage (Ta or T1) tumor. In contrast, 8 of 12 high grade ureteroscopic specimens (66.7%) had invasive tumor (stage T2 or T3) in the surgical specimen (p = 0.0006).

Conclusions

Ureteroscopic inspection and biopsy combined with cytological techniques provide accurate information regarding grade and stage of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma.     

影响尿核基质蛋白诊断膀胱癌的干扰因素

目的：探讨尿核基质蛋白(NMP22)在膀胱癌诊断中的特异性和阳性预测值价值。方法：对196例临床怀疑膀胱癌的患者，在膀胱镜检查前留取新鲜自排尿．每个尿标本均行尿细胞学、尿常规、尿培养和NMP22检测。所有患者均行膀胱镜检查。结果：196例中，病理检查证实膀胱癌41例，其他疾病155例。41例膀胱癌患者中，检测出NMP22 33例(80．5%)，而尿细胞学检测阳性仅为11例(26．8％)。在67例NMP22异常者中，除33例诊断为膀胱癌外，假阳性为34例，故特异性和阳性预测值分别为78．1％和49．3％。假阳性结果主要出现在泌尿系感染或炎症、泌尿系结石、泌尿系异物、肠道代膀胱、其他泌尿生殖系肿瘤和器械操作6种情况．排除这6种干扰因素后，NMP22检测的特异性和阳性预测值分别升高至96．2％和91．7％。结论：排除干扰因素能明显改善NMP22诊断膀胱癌的特异性和阳性预测值，提高其临床应用价值。     

Correlation of upper-tract cytology, retrograde pyelography, ureteroscopic appearance, and ureteroscopic biopsy with histologic examination of upper-tract transitional cell carcinoma

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy of radiographic studies, ureteroscopy, biopsy, and cytology in predicting the histopathology of upper-tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1998 to 2006, 46 upper-tract lesions were diagnosed ureteroscopically and underwent nephroureterectomy, and 30 of them were subjected to direct ureteroscopic inspection and biopsy. Fresh samples were delivered to the cytopathology laboratory and histology samples were prepared whenever visible tissue was present. Radiological, ureteroscopic, cytology, and biopsy data were compared to the actual grades and stages of these 30 surgical specimens. RESULTS: Retrograde ureteropyelography was suggestive of malignancy in 29 of 30 cases, but did not predict the grade or stage accurately. Cytology was positive for malignancy in 21 of 30 cases (70%). Grading of ureteroscopic specimens was possible in all cases. At nephroureterectomy two cases were found to have no tumor (T(0)). Of the remaining 28 cases, the biopsy grade proved to be identical in 21 (75%). Grade 1 or 2 ureteroscopic specimens had a low-stage (T(0), T(a), or T(1)) tumor in 17 of 25 (68%); in contrast, 3 of 5 (60%) high-grade specimens had invasive tumor (T(2) or T(3)). For patients with grade 2 ureteroscopic specimens, combining exfoliated cell cytology and biopsy grade improved the accuracy in predicting high-stage and high-grade disease. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms previous findings that ureteroscopic inspection and biopsy provides accurate information regarding the grade and stage of upper-tract TCC. Combining exfoliated cell cytology improves the predictive power of biopsy grade 2 disease for high-risk specimen grade and stage. Our data suggest that ureteroscopic findings may predict muscle invasion.     

Role of routine transurethral biopsy and isolated upper tract cytology after intravesical treatment of high‐grade non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer

Objectives: To investigate whether random bladder, and prostatic urethral biopsies and individual upper tract cytologies (restaging) provide useful clinical information in addition to cystoscopy and bladder cytology in assessing initial intravesical therapy response for high‐grade non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed records of all patients who underwent restaging at our institution after treatment for high‐grade non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer (Ta, T1 and Tis) between January 2000 and October 2009. A total of 78 patients undergoing 116 consecutive restagings were included. The presence of intravesical cancer at restaging was assessed by cystoscopy, bladder wash cytology and random bladder biopsies, whereas ureteral and prostatic urethral disease was determined using upper tract barbotage cytology and prostatic urethral biopsies. Results: Indication for intravesical treatment was carcinoma in situ in 86, high‐grade T1 in 16 and high‐grade Ta in 14 cases. A total of 48 patients had primary disease and 68 had recurrence. Overall, 59 of 116 (50.9%) restagings showed positive bladder or prostatic biopsy and/or a positive cytology localized to the upper tract. Of the total number of recurrences, 12.9% (15 of 116) showed a negative cystoscopy and negative bladder cytology, and would have been missed on routine surveillance. A total of 23 of 116 (19.8%) restagings showed evidence of prostatic urethral and or ureteral disease. Conclusion: Roughly 25% of high‐grade non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer early recurrences after induction intravesical therapy would go unnoticed without the addition of random and directed prostate biopsies, and isolated upper tract cytologies to standard cystoscopy and bladder cytology.     

上尿路移行细胞癌的诊断与治疗（附39例报告）

目的探讨上尿路移行细胞癌的诊治方法。方法回顾性分析39例上尿路移行细胞癌患者的临床表现及诊治方法。结果39例患者均行手术治疗,术后病理检查证实29例为肾盂移行细胞癌,10例为输尿管移行细胞癌。通过B超、静脉尿路造影（IVU）、逆行肾盂造影、CT、尿脱落细胞学及输尿管镜等检查,术前诊断符合率为92.3%（36/39）。35例患者获得随访6个月-12年,6例术后出现膀胱移行细胞癌,5例死于肿瘤进展。结论B超、IVU、CT可作为上尿路肿瘤的常规检查,IVU显影不佳时逆行肾盂造影可作补充,输尿管镜配合组织活检准确性极高。根治性肾输尿管切除术效果较好,术后应行膀胱灌注治疗及定期膀胱镜检查。     

Upper tract urothelial cancer

Upper tract transitional cell carcinoma is a lethal disease with half the patients dead within 5 years of diagnosis. Unlike urothelial tumours arising in the bladder, the disease is more likely to be invasive at the time of diagnosis and in part reflects the poorer prognosis. It is a biologically aggressive disease with a high chance of recurrence even after local control. Diagnosis is made by a combination of upper tract imaging, urine cytology and ureteroscopic biopsy. Organ-confined disease is amenable to radical surgery, whilst superficial low-grade disease may be managed endoscopically. A number of prognostic factors have been incorporated into nomograms to predict non-organ confined disease. Even those with apparently organ-confined disease are prone to recurrence. As a result regular surveillance protocols are in place to identify both local and metastatic spread as well as metachronous bladder lesions.     

Upper tract urothelial cancer

Upper tract transitional cell carcinoma is a lethal disease with half the patients dead within 5 years of diagnosis. Unlike urothelial tumours arising in the bladder, the disease is more likely to be invasive at the time of diagnosis and in part reflects the poorer prognosis. It is a biologically aggressive disease with a high chance of recurrence even after local control. Diagnosis is made by a combination of upper tract imaging, urine cytology and ureteroscopic biopsy. Organ-confined disease is amenable to radical surgery, whereas superficial low-grade disease may be managed endoscopically. A number of prognostic factors have been incorporated into nomograms to predict non-organ-confined disease. Even those with apparently organ-confined disease are prone to recurrence. As a result regular surveillance protocols are in place to identify both local and metastatic spread as well as metachronous bladder lesions.     

Upper tract urothelial cancer

Upper tract transitional cell carcinoma is a lethal disease with half the patients dead within 5 years of diagnosis. Unlike urothelial tumours arising in the bladder, the disease is more likely to be invasive at the time of diagnosis and in part reflects the poorer prognosis. It is a biologically aggressive disease with a high chance of recurrence even after local control. Diagnosis is made by a combination of upper tract imaging, urine cytology and ureteroscopic biopsy. Organ-confined disease is amenable to radical surgery, whereas superficial low-grade disease may be managed endoscopically. A number of prognostic factors have been incorporated into nomograms to predict non-organ confined disease. Even those with apparently organ-confined disease are prone to recurrence. As a result regular surveillance protocols are in place to identify both local and metastatic spread as well as metachronous bladder lesions.     

Clinical evaluation of a multi-target fluorescent in situ hybridization assay for detection of bladder cancer

PURPOSE: The UroVysion fluorescence in situ hybridization assay (UroVysion Bladder Cancer Recurrence Kit, Vysis, Inc., Downers Grove, Illinois) is a multi-target assay that detects aneuploidy of chromosomes 3, 7 and 17, and loss of the 9p21 band in exfoliated cells in urine from patients with transitional cell carcinoma. We performed 2 multicenter trials. In 1 trial we compared the sensitivity of the FISH assay to the BTA Stat test (Bion Scientific, Redmond, Washington) and voided cytology in the detection of transitional cell carcinoma. In a separate study of healthy volunteers and patients with other (nontransitional cell carcinoma) conditions we determined the specificity of the FISH assay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 176 patients with transitional cell carcinoma in the previous 9 months provided voided urine before cystoscopy. Each specimen was split, preserved and shipped to a central laboratory where all 3 tests were performed. All sites were blinded to results. Sensitivity calculations were based on central pathology review of resected tissue. Specificity was determined by testing 275 volunteers who were healthy and with nontransitional cell carcinoma conditions. RESULTS: The 21 sites enrolled 176 patients with a history of transitional cell carcinoma, with 62 recurrences while undergoing surveillance. Overall sensitivities (with 95% CI) were FISH 71% (95% CI 58 to 82), BTA Stat test 50% (37 to 63) and cytology 26% (16 to 39). FISH was negative in 260 of the 275 healthy volunteers or patients with no history of transitional cell carcinoma (specificity 94.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Sensitivity of the FISH assay is superior to that of cytology and at least equivalent to the BTA Stat test in detecting recurrent transitional cell carcinoma. Its specificity approaches that of cytology. Further testing of its clinical use is warranted.     

Upper urinary tract tumour after radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: an update on the risk factors, surveillance regimens and treatments

Urothelial carcinoma is characterized by multiple, multifocal recurrences throughout the genitourinary tract; approximately 3% of patients treated by radical cystectomy (RC) for invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder will subsequently develop a subsequent TCC in the upper urinary tract (UUT) urothelium. Metachronous upper UUT tumours (mUUT-TCC) typically occur as a late oncological event (>3 years after RC). The vast majority of mUUT-TCCs are detected only after the progression to tumour-related symptoms, e.g. haematuria, flank pain or pyelonephritis, despite strict adherence to surveillance protocols. Failure of imaging and cytology to detect most asymptomatic tumours has led to questions about the need for routine UUT surveillance. Some authors have advocated a more tailored approach to surveillance after RC, targeting high-risk patients and with limiting imaging in those patients at lowest risk of developing a subsequent UUT-TCC. mUUT-TCCs are most common in patients with TCC in the ureter or urethra, and with organ-confined bladder cancer. Although the prognosis is generally poor, long-term survival can be achieved in a subset of patients after radical nephroureterectomy (NU). Minimally invasive techniques, e.g. ureteroscopic and percutaneous resection, have been proposed as renal-sparing alternatives to radical surgery for patients with low-stage and -grade de novo UUT-TCC. However, oncological control of renal-sparing therapies in those with high-risk mUUT-TCC remains largely unconfirmed. Until oncological outcomes equivalent to the standard, radical NU, are reported in patients after RC, conservative treatment strategies should be avoided.     

The usefulness of ureterorenoscopic examination in evaluation of upper tract disease

AIM: The objective of the present study was to clarify the indications, usefulness and limitations of ureterorenoscopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 1998 to June 2004, 72 consecutive patients (48 men and 24 women) with a mean age of 66 years (range, 27-83 years) underwent ureterorenoscopy to diagnose upper urinary tract tumors (UUT). Median follow-up was 24 months (range, 1-73 months). Patients were divided into four subgroups by voided urine cytology and preoperative radiographic findings. Group A (n=11, 15.3%), positive voided urine cytology and positive preoperative radiographic findings; group B (n=5, 6.9%), positive cytology and negative radiographic findings; group C (n=48, 66.7%), negative cytology and positive radiographic findings and group D (n=8, 11.1%), frank hematuria originating from the UUT but negative cytology and negative radiographic findings. We compared the findings of ureterorenoscopic examination and biopsy with the results of retrograde pyelography and cytology of upper tract urine. For each examination, the following diagnostic indices were assessed: sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive-value (PPV) and negative-predictive-value (NPV) and accuracy. Statistical analysis was performed using McNemar's test. RESULTS: For ureterorenoscopy, sensitivity was 94%, specificity 59%, PPV 72%, NPV 92% and accuracy 76%. For biopsy, sensitivity was 77%, specificity 100%, PPV 100%, NPV 80% and accuracy 88%. Accuracy of ureterorenoscopy tended to be superior to that of retrograde pyelography. Ureterorenoscopy was most useful in the group which consisted of 48 patients (66.7%) with negative voided urine cytology and positive preoperative radiographic findings. This group was the only group in which accuracy of ureterorenoscopic biopsy was superior to that of urine cytology, significantly (P=0.03). CONCLUSION: Results indicated that ureterorenoscopy is most suitable and gives superior accuracy in patients with positive radiographic findings and negative voiding cytology. Ureterorenoscopic biopsy of the upper urinary tract would provide useful information when considering therapeutic strategies, such as nephron-sparing management.     

A case of synchronous ipsilateral renal cell carcinoma and transitional cell carcinoma]

A case of synchronous ipsilateral renal cell carcinoma with renal pelvic and ureteral transitional cell carcinoma is reported. A 80-year-old man, who had had transurethral resection of bladder tumor three times, was admitted on August, 1989 for recurrence of bladder tumor. Excretory pyelography revealed a filling defect of left renal pelvis. Findings of retrograde pyelography and computed tomography were in accord with those of the excretory urograms. Under a diagnosis of the left renal pelvic and ureteral tumor associated with the bladder tumor, left nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff resection was performed. Pathological diagnosis was renal pelvic and ureteral transitional cell carcinoma with renal cell carcinoma, which existed incidentally in the same kidney. Double unrelated primary carcinoma in urinary tract, especially, double dissimilar primary carcinoma in the same kidney, is rare. To our knowledge, this case is the 20th double cancer in upper urinary tract reported in Japan.     

核基质蛋白22在上尿路移行细胞癌诊断中的作用

目的　探讨核基质蛋白 2 2 (NMP 2 2 )在上尿路移行细胞癌诊断中的作用。　方法　对2 4例肾盂癌及输尿管癌患者和 2 0例良性泌尿系疾病患者尿中NMP 2 2浓度及尿细胞学进行检测 ,计算诊断敏感性和特异性。　结果　 2 4例TCC患者尿液标本尿细胞学阳性 14例 ,NMP 2 2阳性 2 1例 ;2 0例良性泌尿系疾病患者尿液标本细胞学阳性 1例 ,NMP 2 2阳性 4例 ,NMP 2 2的诊断敏感性和特异性分别为 87.5 %和 80 .0 % ,尿细胞学为 5 8.3%和 95 .0 % ,比较二者敏感性差别有显著性意义。　结论　NMP 2 2可能成为检测上尿路移行细胞癌的良好辅助手段     

尿脱落细胞黏蛋白7 mRNA检测在膀胱癌诊断中的价值

目的 探讨尿脱落细胞黏蛋白7(Muc 7)mRNA检测在膀胱尿路上皮癌诊断中的价值.方法 采用RT-PCR方法检测52例膀胱癌患者和34例泌尿系非肿瘤患者尿脱落细胞中Muc7 mRNA表达情况,同时行尿细胞学检查,比较两种方法诊断膀胱癌的敏感性和特异性.膀胱癌患者52例,男30例,女22例.年龄41～87岁,平均65岁.TNM分期:Ta 1例、T1 22例、≥T2 29例.WHO分级:G1 18例、G2 14例、G3 20例.泌尿系非肿瘤患者34例,男23例,女11例.年龄30～75岁,平均58岁.结果 52例膀胱癌患者中Muc 7 mRNA检测阳性44例,敏感性为84.6%;34例非泌尿系肿瘤患者Muc 7 mRNA阴性29例、假阳性5例,特异性为85.2%,假阳性率为14.7%.膀胱癌患者尿脱落细胞检测阳性18例,敏感性为34.6%;非泌尿系肿瘤患者尿脱落细胞检测阴性31例、假阳性3例,特异性为91.2%,假阳性率为8.8%.尿Muc 7 mRNA检测诊断膀胱癌的敏感性优于尿脱落细胞学检查,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);2种检测方法特异性及假阳性率比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 尿Muc 7 mRNA检测诊断膀胱尿路上皮癌的敏感性优于尿脱落细胞学检查,可以作为膀胱癌的辅助检测指标.     

ImmunoCyt在膀胱移行细胞癌早期诊断中的应用

目的评价ImmunoCyt检测在膀胱癌早期诊断和随访中的作用. 方法膀胱癌患者86例,其中38例为膀胱肿瘤行经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术后至少3个月的随访患者,48例有肉眼(镜下)血尿,分别进行标准尿脱落细胞学和ImmunoCyt检测.86例均行膀胱镜检查,对可疑组织进行活检. 结果膀胱镜检和病理证实28例为膀胱移行细胞癌.ImmunoCyt敏感性为82%,与尿脱落细胞学检查(39%)相比差异有显著性意义(P<0.05).两种检查方法相结合的敏感性为89%.ImmunoCyt和细胞学的特异性分别为78%和94%. 结论 ImmunoCyt较细胞学对膀胱肿瘤更敏感,二者联合使用可在保持高特异性的前提下提高诊断的敏感性,早期检测膀胱肿瘤.     

Routine excretory urography in follow-up of superficial transitional cell carcinoma of bladder

To determine cost-effective guidelines for the follow-up of patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (STCCAB), we reviewed clinical histories, pathology reports, and intravenous pyelography results in 84 patients with Stage Ta or T1 disease. In 4 patients (4.8%) subsequent upper tract tumors developed with an average interval from initial presentation to the development of upper tract disease of 5.4 years. Three of these patients were treated successfully. We recommend upper tract surveillance in this group of patients with intravenous pyelography at diagnosis and every twenty-four months thereafter, or selection of those patients who are at high risk for development of upper tract disease (i.e., ureteral-vesical reflux) with voiding cystourethrography one month following each resection of tumors near a ureteral orifice. Refluxing patients should then either undergo surgical repair of their reflux or yearly pyelography.     

Endoscopic management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma in patients with a history of bladder urothelial carcinoma

PURPOSE: Endoscopic management of renal pelvis and ureteral urothelial carcinoma is gaining acceptance as a conservative treatment modality. Patients with a history of bladder urothelial carcinoma are at high risk for upper tract recurrence. We evaluate the role of endoscopic management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma in patients with a history of primary bladder urothelial carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 90 patients with a history of primary bladder urothelial carcinoma who underwent endoscopic treatment of localized upper tract urothelial carcinoma between 1983 and 2004. RESULTS: Median patient age at diagnosis was 73 years (range 50 to 90). A total of 13 (14.4%) patients previously underwent cystectomy. With a median followup of 4.3 years (range 0.1 to 17), 105 upper tract urothelial carcinoma recurrences developed in 55 patients at a mean of 0.6 years (range 22 days to 5.9 years). Of these recurrences 76 were amenable to endoscopic management while 29 required nephroureterectomy. In 38 patients there were 91 bladder recurrences. At last followup 48 patients died, 17 of urothelial carcinoma at a median of 3.4 years (range 1 to 10). Cancer specific survival at 5 years for this cohort was 71.2%. Risk of death from urothelial carcinoma was significantly associated with stage (RR 3.23) and grade (RR 4.05) of upper tract urothelial carcinoma, imperative indication (RR 4.30), and treatment of bladder urothelial carcinoma with cystectomy (RR 3.34). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma in patients with primary bladder urothelial carcinoma demonstrates a significant local recurrence rate. Furthermore, 5-year cancer specific survival is low. These patients represent a high risk cohort requiring strict ureteroscopic followup after endoscopic management is instituted.