Upper urinary tract tumors after primary superficial bladder tumors: prognostic factors and risk groups

PURPOSE: We evaluated the prognostic factors of primary superficial bladder cancer that may predict a metachronous upper urinary tract tumor. We also determined whether the incidence of upper urinary tract disease varies according to risk group based on primary superficial bladder tumor classification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied disease evolution in a cohort of 1,529 patients with a primary superficial bladder tumor. To determine the prognostic factors of upper urinary tract cancer we performed multivariate analysis using Cox regression. Independent variables were grade, T stage, multiplicity, tumor size, carcinoma in situ association, previous or synchronous upper urinary tract tumor and intravesical instillation. We also performed the chi-square test and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to assess the variable incidence of upper urinary tract tumors according to primary superficial bladder tumor risk group classification. RESULTS: The incidence of upper urinary tract cancer was 2.6%. The only factor prognostic for an upper urinary tract tumor was multiplicity (relative risk 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06 to 6.84). All patients with an upper urinary tract tumor had a previously recurrent primary superficial bladder tumor. In the low, intermediate and high risk groups the incidence of upper urinary tract cancer was 0.6% (relative risk 1), 1.8% (relative risk 3.1, 95% CI 0.4 to 23.9) and 4.1% (relative risk 8.3, 95% CI 1.1 to 61.6), respectively (chi-square and log rank tests p = 0.007 and p <0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A higher risk of upper urinary tract cancer must be expected in cases of multiple primary superficial bladder tumors. This finding supports the multicentricity theory of transitional cell carcinoma. Primary superficial bladder tumor classification by risk group is also useful for predicting the various risks of metachronous upper urinary tract cancer.     

The outcome of patients on dialysis with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma

PURPOSE: Transitional cell carcinoma is the most common upper urinary tract cancer in Taiwanese patients on dialysis. It is a unique finding compared with Western countries. Unfortunately, the long-term outcomes of patients with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma on dialysis are largely unknown. This study presents clinical outcome of patients on dialysis with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma who had end stage renal disease and underwent dialysis. Traditional prognostic factors including age, sex, tumor grade, stage and tumor location were analyzed with respect to disease recurrence and survival. RESULTS: A total of 73 patients were included in this study. The major complaints were painless gross hematuria and urethral bloody discharge. Disease relapsed in 40 (54.8%) patients at average time of 15 months (2 to 92). Univariate analysis failed to identify significant prognostic factors for recurrence. The average duration between primary and contralateral metachronous upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma recurrence was 36 months (range 5 to 96). Patients on dialysis with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma who had previous or concurrent bladder tumor, or who had a history of recurrent bladder tumor, had high contralateral upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma recurrence. (p = 0.038) The statistically significant prognostic factor for disease-free survival was pT stage (p = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Patients on dialysis with painless gross hematuria or bloody urethral discharge must undergo detail urinary system evaluation. Since patients with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma on dialysis have a high recurrence rate and metachronous or even multiple, early synchronous tumor characteristics that may be missed by imaging, total urinary tract exenteration is a recommended therapeutic option.     

Percutaneous nephroscopic management of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma: recurrence and long-term followup

PURPOSE: We present long-term results of the percutaneous approach and resection of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma, and we evaluate the prognostic factors related to recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 34 patients underwent primary percutaneous resection of an upper urothelial tumor. We treated the patients with a superficial tumor that was completely resected macroscopically. Adjuvant topical chemotherapy or immunotherapy was administered. Patients were followed with excretory urography. Ureteroscopy and computerized tomography were obtained when clinically indicated. RESULTS: With a mean followup of 51 months ipsilateral recurrence developed in 41.2%. Median time to recurrence was 24 months. The rate of kidney preservation was 73.5%. Two patients died of the disease. There was a trend of recurrence in patients with multifocal tumors (OR 2.66, 95% CI 0.07-1.92), history of bladder carcinoma in situ (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.61-3.74), tumor in renal pelvis (OR 6.45, 95% CI 0.01-1.46) and multiple tumor locations (OR 6.53, 95% CI 0.01-1.54). CONCLUSIONS: The percutaneous approach to renal urothelial tumor should be considered a valid option with a good long-term outcome. Recurrence is not uncommon and, as transitional cell carcinoma superficial bladder cancer it may be treated with endourological maneuvers or radical surgery, but with the obligation to a long lasting, strict surveillance.     

The impact factors on prognosis of patients with pT3 upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma

PURPOSE: Stage 3 upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma is a heterogeneous disease including different tumor locations (pelvis vs ureter) and invasion patterns (renal parenchyma, peripelvic fat and periureteral fat). Unfortunately the outcomes of patients with pT3 disease with different invasion pattern are largely unknown. This study presents the clinical outcome of patients with pT3 disease with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients with pT3 disease with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. Four patient groups were classified according to tumor location and tumor invasion pattern. Prognostic factors including age, gender, tumor grade, tumor size, tumor number, tumor location and microscopic finding of vascular invasion were analyzed with respect to disease recurrence and survival. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients were included in this study. The most common complaint and tumor relapse pattern were painless gross hematuria and distant metastasis, respectively. Patients with pT3 disease with superficial parenchymal invasion had better disease-free and recurrence-free survival than the other 3 groups. Initial tumor location (p = 0.02) and vascular invasion (p = 0.02) were independent factors for disease-free survival, and vascular invasion (p = 0.001) was the only predictive factor for recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that patients with pT3 disease with superficial parenchymal invasion should be considered to have lower stage disease, and that vascular involvement is the only independent prognostic factor for patients with pT3 disease for disease-free and recurrence-free survival. Systemic adjuvant therapy should be recommended for patients with pT3 disease with vascular involvement.     

Different treatment strategies for end stage renal disease in patients with transitional cell carcinoma

PURPOSE: Transitional cell carcinoma is the most common urinary tract cancer in Taiwanese patients on dialysis. It is a unique finding compared within Western countries. Due to this geographic difference and a higher recurrence rate a more extensive operation and aggressive followup protocols should be refined for these patients on dialysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients with transitional cell carcinoma who had end stage renal disease and underwent hemodialysis. Records were reviewed for hemodialysis duration, initial tumor location, tumor grade, stage, operative method, operative complication and final surgical status. Tumor grade and stage was determined by the WHO and proposed Jewett systems. Six patient groups were classified according to final surgical status for comparative analysis. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients were included in this study. Painless gross hematuria and urethral bloody discharge were the most common complaints. Tumor in 25 of the 30 cases was high grade and all were early stage. Of the patients 11 (36.7%) had undergone bilateral nephroureterectomy and radical cystectomy in as a 1 or multiple step procedure. Six patients (20%) had undergone bilateral nephroureterectomy at 1 or 2 sequential operations. Seven of the 13 patients (53.8%) in whom low urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma was initially treated with transurethral resection unfortunately had recurrent transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. Ten of the 14 patients (71.4%) with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma who underwent nephroureterectomy and bladder cuff excision had subsequent transitional cell carcinoma within the bladder. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with transitional cell carcinoma on dialysis had a higher recurrence rate in the upper urinary tract than patients not on dialysis. Most cases were at an early stage but with high grade tumor behavior. In 11 patients (36.7%) total exenteration of the urinary tract except the urethra was eventually done. The final bilateral nephroureterectomy rate was 56.7%. Since the rate of total exenteration and bilateral nephrectomy was abnormally high at such a short followup, 1-step bilateral nephroureterectomy and radical cystectomy are a recommended treatment for patients with transitional cell carcinoma on dialysis.     

Vesicorenal reflux and upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma after transurethral resection of recurrent superficial bladder carcinoma

Of 288 patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder vesicorenal reflux developed after transurethral resection in 26 per cent. This proportion was higher (77 per cent) when we considered only those tumors located near the ureteral orifices. There was a statistically significant relationship (p less than 0.001) between the development of upper urinary tract tumors and vesicorenal reflux (20 per cent of the patients with reflux and 0.9 per cent without reflux had a tumor), which corresponds to a 22-fold greater risk in the former group. Close followup is advised, since 1 of 5 patients with reflux after transurethral resection may have upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma.     

Tumor lymphangiogenesis in transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract: association with clinicopathological features and prognosis

PURPOSE: Lymph node metastasis is an important prognostic factor in many types of cancer. Recently several specific markers for lymphatic endothelium were developed that facilitate the quantification of lymphangiogenesis in human cancer tissues. We investigated the clinical and prognostic significance of lymphangiogenesis in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured lymph vessel density and relative lymphatic vascular area in 125 specimens by quantitative immunohistochemical staining for D2-40 antibody (DakoCytomation, Glostrup, Denmark). These parameters were examined in the intratumor and peritumor areas, and measured using image analysis software. RESULTS: Peritumor lymph vessel density and peritumor lymphatic vascular area correlated with lymph node metastasis and tumor grade. In the intratumor area lymphatic vessels were detected in only 16.0% of specimens. However, the presence of intratumor lymphatic vessels was associated with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis identified high peritumor lymphatic vascular area and the presence of intratumor lymphatic vessels as significant and independent factors of metastasis-free survival after surgery (OR = 5.11, p = 0.020 and OR = 2.92, p = 0.025, respectively). Multivariate analysis also identified the presence of intratumor lymphatic vessels as the only independent predictive factor of cause specific survival (OR = 3.89, p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Lymphangiogenesis may have important roles in tumor metastasis and survival in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. Quantification of lymphatic vessels, especially peritumor lymphatic vascular area and intratumor lymphatic vessels, was useful for predicting metastasis-free survival. In addition, the presence of intratumor lymphatic vessels was an independent predictor of cause specific survival.     

Tumor Necrosis Rate Adjusted by Tumor Volume Change Is a Better Predictor of Survival of Localized Osteosarcoma Patients

Background We assessed whether new parameter that considers both tumor volume change and necrosis rate predicts metastasis-free survival of localized osteosarcoma patients. We also evaluated relationship between tumor volume change and necrosis rate or metastasis-free survival. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 151 patients with stage II osteosarcoma who were treated with surgery and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The tumor volume change was measured and calculated based on pre- and postchemotherapy magnetic resonance images. The mean metastasis-free interval was 83.1 months. We calculated adjusted tumor necrosis rate as following formula: 100–(100–necrosis rate) × postchemotherapy/prechemotherapy tumor volume. Survival and logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the correlation among size parameters, tumor necrosis rate and survival. Results The 5-year metastasis-free survival rate of 151 patients was 71.4% (95% CI, 67.7–75.1%). American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage IIB (RR 2.27; 95% CI, 1.11–4.62; P = 0.025) and poor adjusted tumor necrosis rate (RR 2.02; 95% CI, 1.05–3.89; P = 0.035) independently correlated with metastasis-free survival period. Further, tumor volume change independently correlated with necrosis rate. Decreased tumor volume could predict good response, with sensitivity of 80.2%, specificity of 68.6%, and positive predictive value (PPV) of 74.7%. Increased or stable tumor volume could predict poor response, with sensitivity of 68.6%, specificity of 80.2%, and PPV of 75.0 %. Conclusion The necrosis rate adjusted by the tumor volume change is an independent prognostic factor in osteosarcoma. This adjusted tumor necrosis rate may serve as a basis for risk-adapted therapy in combination with other prognostic factors.     

Impact of diagnostic ureteroscopy on long-term survival in patients with upper tract transitional cell carcinoma

PURPOSE: We determine whether diagnostic retrograde ureteroscopy for evaluation of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma adversely affects survival outcomes in terms of urothelial and metastatic tumor recurrence, and tumor-free and overall survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 96 patients underwent total nephroureterectomy or resection of the distal ureter with a bladder cuff for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma. Of the patients 48 (study group) had undergone preoperative diagnostic ureteroscopy while 48 (control group) had not. Grade and stage of disease were compared, and time to recurrence, and disease-free and overall survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Grade and stage of disease were equivalent in both groups. There were no significant differences in recurrence rates, time to recurrence or mortality between the groups. Metastases developed in 9 patients (18.8%) in the control group and 6 (12.5%) in the study group (p = 0.58), while 5 (10.4%) in each group died of metastases of upper tract carcinoma (p = 1.00). Kaplan-Meier estimates were 0.67 and 0.71 for metastasis-free survival at 5 years (p = 0.25, not significant) and 0.87 and 0.76 for overall 5-year survival (p = 0.75, not significant) for the study and control groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic ureteroscopy has no clinically apparent adverse effect on long-term or disease specific survival of patients with upper tract transitional cell carcinoma who subsequently undergo standard definitive surgical management.     

Upper urinary tract cancer: location is correlated with prognosis

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate prognostic information of anatomical location in patients with upper tract transitional cell carcinoma (UTTCC). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 149 upper tract transitional cell carcinoma (UTTCC) patients from a single institute treated surgically between 1988 and 2003. RESULTS: Transmural tumor growth (pT3 or pT4) was less common in distally located tumors (33%) compared to mid (44%), proximal ureter (75%) or pyelum tumors (41%). Tumor stage was the best predictor of disease specific survival. Distally located tumors had a significantly better survival than proximally located cancers (median survival 53 months versus 16 months for tumors in the proximal ureter). Bladder cancer was found in 73 (49%) patients. Invasive UTTCC were less likely to be associated bladder cancer (RR 0.66, 95%CI 0.43-0.98). In a multivariate analysis both tumor stage and location in the upper tract were predictive of disease specific survival after UTTCC diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Tumor location in the proximal upper tract predicts stage-independent poor prognosis in patients with UTTCC.     

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     

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.     

Prognostic factors in patients with primary transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract

A total of 50 patients with primary transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract underwent deoxyribonucleic acid ploidy characterization by flow cytometric analysis of paraffin embedded specimens. The primary tumor was diploid in 29 patients (58%) and aneuploid in 21 (42%). Aneuploidy was identified more frequently in grade 3 than in grades 1 and 2 neoplasms (p = 0.001). Additionally, grade 3 neoplasms occurred more often with invasive (stages T2 to T3) compared to superficial (stages TA, TIS and T1) tumors (p = 0.002). However, deoxyribonucleic acid ploidy was not significantly associated with tumor stage. Among the 49 patients treated by a definitive operation the median survival free of disease and median over-all survival were 33.7 and more than 120 months, respectively. Variables examined included deoxyribonucleic acid ploidy, tumor grade, tumor stage, primary tumor site and type of operation. In the univariate analysis deoxyribonucleic acid ploidy was the only significant predictor of survival free of disease (p = 0.04). Aneuploid tumors had a median survival free of disease of 19 versus 59 months for diploid tumors. However, in the multivariate analysis of factors affecting survival free of disease, the type of operation performed was the only significant variable. Patients undergoing nephroureterectomy with en bloc bladder cuff excision had a favorable survival free of disease (p = 0.04). Tumor stage was the only significant factor associated with over-all survival in univariate and multivariate analyses (p = 0.02 and 0.005, respectively). Patients with superficial tumors had a median survival of more than 120 versus 72 months for patients with invasive tumors. The data suggest that deoxyribonucleic acid ploidy may be a useful parameter to identify risk groups and plan the management of patients with primary transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract.     

后腹腔镜联合下腹部Glison切口治疗上尿路移行细胞癌的临床价值——与同类开放性手术的对比研究

目的：回顾性比较后腹腔镜上尿路移行细胞癌根治术（LNU）与开放性上尿路移行细胞癌根治术（ONU）患者的临床资料,探讨后腹腔镜联合下腹部Glison切口治疗上尿路移行细胞癌手术的临床价值。方法：回顾性分析88例经病理检查证实的上尿路移行细胞癌患者临床资料,其中42例行LNU,46例行0Nu,采用t检验比较患者术中出血、术后恢复时间等资料,采用Kaplan—Meier法比较生存率,采用log—rank检验法比较组间生存率。结果：两组间平均手术时间差异无统计学意义,LNU组术中失血量、术后肠道恢复时间及住院时间明显少于ONU组,LNU组和ONU组5年总生存率分别为81．0％和73．7％（P=0．689）,两者之间差异无统计学意义。结论：后腹腔镜联合下腹部Glison切口治疗上尿路上皮肿瘤创伤小,安全有效,可达到与开放手术相同的肿瘤控制效果,可部分替代开放性上尿路上皮肿瘤根治术。     

Multivariate analysis of clinical parameters of synchronous primary superficial bladder cancer and upper urinary tract tumor

PURPOSE: We determined the incidence and characteristic of synchronous upper urinary tract tumors (UUTTs) in patients with primary superficial bladder carcinoma and evaluated the characteristics of bladder tumors related to UUTTs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 1,529 patients with primary superficial bladder carcinoma who underwent initial examination of the upper urinary tract with excretory urography. Data were analyzed by multivariate analysis using logistic regression. Variables evaluated and related to the incidence of UUTT were multiplicity, carcinoma in situ, bladder tumor size, localization of tumor in the bladder, and tumor grade and stage. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients (1.8%) had simultaneous bladder tumor and UUTT. UUTTs showed no preferred location and 17.9% were multiple. Of UUTTs 46% were invasive and almost 87% were grade 2 or 3. The only significant variable related to UUTT was bladder tumor in the trigone (RR 5.8, 95% IC 2.18 to 15.9, p <0.0005). Of 147 tumors located in the trigone 11 (7.5%) were associated with UUTT, corresponding to 41% of the UUTTs first diagnosed. If multiplicity and tumors in the trigone (551 cases) had been considered, 66.7% of tumors would have been diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: Synchronous UUTT and superficial bladder tumor are uncommon but 46% are invasive. Considering the possible examination of the upper urinary tract only in patients with tumor in the trigone or with multiple bladder tumors 41.4% or 69% of UUTTs, respectively, would have been diagnosed. Patients with tumor in the trigone are at almost 6-fold higher risk for a synchronous tumor in the upper urinary tract.     

The role of volume weighted mean nuclear volume in predicting the prognosis of patients with primary transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract: a report of 102 new cases

PURPOSE: We compare estimates of volume weighted mean nuclear volume (MNV) with histological grading to determine the prognosis of primary transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract using a Cox proportional hazards model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 102 patients who underwent nephroureterectomy for primary transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract at our hospital between April 1981 and March 1997. Traditional prognostic factors, such as patient age, sex, stage and grade, multiplicity and unbiased estimates of MNV were analyzed with respect to disease recurrence and survival. RESULTS: Estimates of mean nuclear volume were significantly larger for patients with than without lymph node metastasis (p = 0.0031). No prognostic factor significantly correlated with recurrence of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. For pTxN0M0 cases univariate analysis revealed that histological grade (p = 0.0018), pathological T stage (p = 0.0030) and estimates of MNV (p = 0.0001) correlated significantly with disease specific survival, and multivariate stepwise regression analysis revealed that estimate of MNV was the only powerful predictor of prognosis (p = 0.0007). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that estimate of MNV is an important predictor of prognosis for transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. We recommend MNV estimate as a supportive method for subjective histological grading.     

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.     

Percutaneous Treatment of Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Upper Urinary Tract

Background We evaluated the long-term effect of percutaneous resection in 2 Japanese patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis, and reviewed the medical literature on similar patients, to determine the appropriate indications for percutaneous treatment of transitional cell carcinoma in the upper urinary tract.
Results Indications for endoscopic resection in the 2 patients were renal insufficiency and unsuitability for major open surgery. The patients had no recurrence during follow-up. Seven previous reports described percutaneous resection of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma in 82 patients. Although 72.6% of the patients were successfully treated by percutaneous resection, half of the patients with grade 3 carcinoma developed recurrence.
Conclusion These results, together with those of the 7 published reports, suggest that percutaneous resection should be limited to selected patients with low-grade transitional cell carcinoma.     

The study on cell surface antigens in epithelial tumor of the upper urinary tract: ABH-isoantigen and Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen

ABH-isoantigen (ABH-Ag) and Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (T-Ag) were investigated by the Avidin-Biotin-Peroxidase Complex (ABC) method on 47 patients with epithelial tumor of the upper urinary tract (all patients underwent nephroureterectomy including the cuff of the bladder; 30 patients were diagnosed as transitional cell carcinoma of renal pelvis and 17 ureteral organs). The correlations between ABC expression for ABH-Ag and T-Ag with histological grade, stage and prognosis (5 year survival rate) were studied. A correlation was observed between grade (p less than 0.05) and deletion of the antigenicity of ABH-Ag, but no correlation was evident with stage and prognosis. A high correlation was evident, however, between grade (p less than 0.01), stage (p less than 0.01) and prognosis (p less than 0.01) and deletion of the antigenicity of T-Ag. The analysis of ABC expression for ABH-Ag and T-Ag may therefore be valuable for predicting the malignant potential in transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. T-Ag determination in particular may provide a useful prognostic probe should it find clinical application.     

Upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma in patients with bladder carcinoma and associated vesicoureteral reflux

Of 269 patients with bladder neoplasms treated during a 20-year period 47 had associated vesicoureteral reflux. All 47 patients were followed for 3 years or more, or until death. Upper urinary tract transitional cell cancer developed in 3, each of whom had recurrent bladder cancer. Among the 222 patients who had vesical cancer without reflux transitional cell carcinoma of the ureter developed in only 1, 11 years after transurethral resection for a bladder tumor. The incidences of upper tract transitional cell cancer in patients with and without vesicoureteral reflux were 6.4 and 0.44 per cent, respectively, which support the suggested role of reflux in disseminating or seeding of cancer cells from the bladder into the upper urinary tract. Patients with bladder cancer and associated vesicoureteral reflux have an approximately 15-fold greater risk of upper tract cancer developing compared with those without reflux. We recommend vigilant scrutiny of patients with recurrent bladder cancer and associated vesicoureteral reflux for early detection of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma.