Oncological risk of laparoscopic surgery in urothelial carcinomas

• Published in: World journal of urology 2009-02, Vol.27 (1), p.81-88
• Main Authors: Rouprêt, Morgan, Smyth, Gordon, Irani, Jacques, Guy, Laurent, Davin, Jean-Louis, Saint, Fabien, Pfister, Christian, Wallerand, Hervé, Rozet, François
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell - surgery; Humans; Laparoscopy - adverse effects; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Nephrology; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; Oncology; Review; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome; Tumors of the urinary system; Urinary system involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous; Urinary tract. Prostate gland; Urologic Neoplasms - surgery; Urology
• ISSN: 0724-4983; 1433-8726
• DOI: 10.1007/s00345-008-0349-x

Objective To assess the oncological safety of laparoscopic procedures for the management of urothelial carcinomas of the urinary tract. Methods Data on laparoscopic management of urothelial carcinomas in the literature were analysed using MEDLINE and by matching the following keywords: urological malignancies, upper tract tumours, bladder carcinomas, laparoscopic approach, recurrence, follow-up and metastasis site. Results Minimally invasive techniques are being used increasingly in the management of these tumours and successfully achieving the benefits of lower blood loss and more rapid patient recovery. To date, no evidence level 1 information is available and published series of these technically challenging cases are small and follow-up limited. Short to medium term follow-up appears encouraging in terms of recurrence and survival rates, but long-term data are immature compared to the established open techniques these procedures seek to duplicate. Specific concerns in terms of the oncologic safety of laparoscopy, especially with regard to the pneumoperitoneum, tumour manipulation and specimen extraction are addressed. Port-site metastases and tumour seeding are rare events and appear to be mainly related to the grade and stage of the tumour. Specific precautions are required to minimise these risks. Conclusion Oncological results of the laparoscopic approach are difficult to compare with those of open surgery. However, recent series have not reported unusual tumour dissemination or a higher rate of recurrence with this approach. Laparoscopic techniques are not yet standard of care in invasive urothelial carcinomas. Long-term assessment is ongoing and awaited.