Superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the ureteral orifice: Higher risk of developing subsequent upper urinary tract tumors

AIM: Reports specifically addressing transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the ureteral orifice are scarce. This paper presents our experiences of such tumors, including the characteristics of the disease and the incidence of subsequent upper urinary tract recurrence. METHODS: This study included 572 new cases of TCC of the urinary bladder diagnosed in our institute during a period of 5 years. Thirty-one (5.4%) patients had superficial tumors involving ureteral orifices. All 31 patients underwent transurethral resection of the bladder tumors, including the involved ureteral orifices. After the surgery, patients received regular follow up with cystourethroscopy, urine cytology and periodic intravenous pyelography (IVP). Ureterorenoscopy was performed in cases of suspicious IVP or urine cytology findings. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients with superficial tumors involving the ureteral orifice were followed up for 5-8 years or until death. The pathological stage was Ta in 16 cases and T1 in 15 cases. Bladder tumor recurrence was noted in three (18.8%) of the pTa patients and in seven (46.7%) of the pT1 patients. Subsequent upper urinary tract tumors developed in four (12.9%) patients between 33 and 67 months (mean: 33.5) after the first transurethral resection. All four cases of upper tract recurrence had pT1 primary bladder tumor, which recurred for 1-3 times (mean 1.8) before upper tract recurrence. None of these patients had ureteral stenting after bladder tumor resection. Three of four patients with upper tract recurrence had single lower ureteral tumor, while the remaining one patient had multiple tumors. Patients with subsequent upper urinary tract tumors underwent nephroureterectomy and bladder cuff excision. One died of the disease; the other three cases were free of the disease after the therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with primary superficial bladder transitional cell carcinoma involving the ureteral orifice have a higher risk of developing subsequent upper urinary tract tumors, particularly for pT1 primary bladder tumors. Frequent and close follow up is recommended.