Is nephroureterectomy necessary in all cases of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma? Long-term results of conservative endourologic management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma in individuals with a normal contralateral kidney

• Published in: Urology (Ridgewood, N.J.) N.J.), 2001-08, Vol.58 (2), p.174-178
• Main Authors: Elliott, Daniel S, Segura, Joseph W, Lightner, Deborah, Patterson, David E, Blute, Michael L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell - diagnosis; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell - mortality; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell - surgery; Disease Progression; Electrocoagulation; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Kidney Neoplasms - diagnosis; Kidney Neoplasms - mortality; Kidney Neoplasms - surgery; Laser Therapy; Length of Stay; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - epidemiology; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - pathology; Neoplasm Staging; Nephrectomy; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the urinary system; Survival Rate; Ureteral Neoplasms - diagnosis; Ureteral Neoplasms - mortality; Ureteral Neoplasms - surgery; Ureteroscopy - methods
• ISSN: 0090-4295; 1527-9995
• DOI: 10.1016/S0090-4295(01)01109-8

Objectives. To evaluate the endoscopic management of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) as a first-line treatment in patients with a normal contralateral kidney. Methods. During an 11-year period, 21 patients diagnosed with upper tract TCC were treated with conservative endourologic techniques using either neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser or electrocautery at our institution. The 21 patients were followed up for a mean of 6.1 years (range 1 to 11.6). Results. A total of 8 renal pelvic tumors and 13 ureteral tumors were found. All tumors were Stage T1 or less and grade 3 or less. All tumors were less than 2 cm in the greatest dimension (range 0.4 to 2). Of the 21 patients, 7 (33%) had one local recurrence and 1 (4.7%) developed two local recurrences. Of the 13 ureteral tumors, 6 (46%) recurred; 1 (12%) of the 8 renal pelvic tumors recurred. No recurrent tumor was shown to have an increase in grade. Of the 21 target renal units, 17 (81%) were preserved; 4 (19%) of 21 patients required nephroureterectomy because of tumor recurrence. Overall, 11 patients in the series died, 10 of non-TCC etiology and 1 secondary to invasive bladder TCC that developed after treatment for upper tract TCC. No patients died as a result of conservative management of their upper tract TCC. Conclusions. Endourologic techniques and conservative treatment of upper tract TCC is an evolving field; however, in properly selected patients, endoscopic treatment can be safely and effectively used as a first-line treatment for upper tract TCC.