Rare primary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the renal pelvis

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma(LELC)is a rare,malignant epithelial tumour which can arise within the upper urinary tract.This letter adds to a previous systematic review and cumulative analysis of 28 published upper urinary tract-LELC cases which provided insight into this disease;however,the current evidence does not provide clinicians with clear guidelines due to its rarity.Therefore,the aim was to report a new case of renal pelvis LELC presented in our hospital.In this instance,we were able to report treatment experience and longterm follow-up results.This patient presented with hypertension and haemturia which initiated further investigation.While ultrasound identified an hypechoic mass,no malignant cells were detected using cytological testing.Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging identified a slightly enhanced mass in the left renal pelvis with no evidence of lymph node metastasis.Ureteroscopic tumor biopsy suggested the existence of urothelial carcinoma,hence,laparoscopic radical left nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision was performed.Through patientpractitioner consultations,we decided to adopt a"watch and wait"approach after radical nephroureterectomy rather than administering chemotherapy.Although,we would encourage clinicians to record and publish cases to garner insight into this type of malignant disease.

Oncological impact of different distal ureter managements during radical nephroureterectomy for primary upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma

BACKGROUND The current standard surgical treatment for non-metastatic upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma(UTUC)is radical nephroureterectomy(RNU)with bladder cuff excision(BCE).Typically,BCE techniques are classified in one of the following three categories:An open technique described as intrasvesical incision of the bladder cuff,a transurethral incision of the bladder cuff(TUBC),and an extravesical incision of the bladder cuff(EVBC)method.Even though each of these management techniques are widely used,there is no consensus about which surgical intervention is superior,with the best oncologic outcomes.AIM To investigate the oncological outcomes of three BCE methods during RNU for primary UTUC patients.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the data of 248 primary UTUC patients,who underwent RNU with BCE between January 2004 to December 2018.Patients were analyzed according to each BCE method.Data extracted included patient demographics,perioperative parameters,and oncological outcomes.Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square and log-rank tests.The Cox proportional hazards regression model was utilized to identify independent predictors.P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS Of the 248 participants,39.9%(n=99)underwent intrasvesical incision of the bladder cuff,38.7%(n=96)EVBC,and 21.4%(n=53)TUBC.At a median followup of 44.2 mo,bladder recurrence developed in 17.2%,12.5%,and 13.2%of the cases,respectively.Cancer-specific deaths occurred in 11.1%,5.2%,and 7.5%of patients,respectively.Kaplan-Meier survival curves with a log-rank test highlighted no significant differences in intravesical recurrence-free survival,cancer-specific survival,and overall survival among these approaches with P values of 0.987,0.825,and 0.497,respectively.Multivariate analysis showed that the lower ureter location appears to have inferior intravesical recurrence-free survival(P=0.042).However,cancer-specific survival and overall survival were independently influenced by tumor stage(hazard ratio[HR]=8.439;95%con
dence interval:2.424-29.377;P=0.001)and lymph node status(HR=14.343;95%CI:5.176-39.745;P<0.001).CONCLUSION All three techniques had comparable outcomes;although,EVBC and TUBC are minimally invasive.While based upon rather limited data,these findings will support urologists in blending experience with evidence to inform patient choices.However,larger,rigorously designed,multicenter studies with long term outcomes are still required.

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the upper urinary tract: A systematic review of case reports

BACKGROUND Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas(LELCs)are rare,malignant epithelial tumors,generally considered a subtype of squamous cell carcinoma.LELCs are undifferentiated and can occur in multiple tissues,although LELCs in the urinary tract are extremely rare.As such,evidence does not provide clinicians with guidelines for the best practices.Even though this is a rare disease,it is associated with high morbidity and mortality.Therefore,we must learn to differentiate LELC types and identify risk factors for early identification.AIM To develop an evidence base to guide clinicians treating primary LELCs of the upper urinary tract(UUT-LELC).METHODS We performed a systematic review of all reports on UUT-LELC from the first published case in 1998 until October 2019,according to the PRISMA.A database was then developed by extracting data from previously published reports in order to analyze interactions between clinical characteristics,pathological features,interventions and outcomes.Survival was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier estimates,which were compared using log rank tests.RESULTS A total of 28 previously published cases were identified for inclusion.The median age was 72 years with a male to female ratio of 4:3.Pure type LELCs were most common with 48.3%(n=14),followed by 37.9%(n=11)predominant LELCs and 3.4%(n=1)focal LELCs.Epstein-Barr virus testing was negative in all cases.Fourteen patients received radical nephroureterectomy(RNU)-based intervention.Twenty-three patients survived with no evidence of further metastasis,although six died before the median 18 mo follow-up point.Survival analysis suggests pure histological subtypes,and patients who receive complete tumor resection have more favorable prognoses.As always in cancer care,early identification generally increases the probability of interventional success.CONCLUSION The most effective treatment for UUT-LELC is RNU-based therapy.Since cases are few in number,case reporting must be enhanced and publishing encouraged to both save and prolong lives.