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.

Clipping the extremity of ureter prior to nephroureterectomy is effective in preventing subsequent bladder recurrence after upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma

Background Bladder recurrent disease is still a challenge in the treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma （UTUC）. This controlled study aims to investigate the efficacy of early clipping of the distal ureter prior to nephroureterectomy （NU） to prevent bladder recurrence after UTUC.

Metachronous urothelial carcinoma in the renal pelvis,bladder,and urethra:A case report

BACKGROUND Urothelial carcinoma(UC)is a common malignancy of the urinary system that can occur anywhere from the renal pelvis to the proximal urethra.Most UCs are in the bladder and have multifocal growth.Upper urinary tract UC(UTUC),which occurs in the renal pelvis or ureter,accounts for only 5%to 10%of UCs.CASE SUMMARY In March 2015,a 70-year-old male who initially presented to a local hospital with a complaint of painless hematuria was diagnosed with UTUC of the right renal pelvis.The doctors administered radical nephroureterectomy and bladder cuff excision.Although the doctors recommended intravesical chemotherapy and regular follow-up,he rejected this advice.In December 2016,the patient presented at our hospital with dysuria.We identified UC in the residual bladder and administered radical cystectomy and left cutaneous ureterostomy.In November 2021,he presented again with urethral bleeding.We detected urethral UC as the cause of urethral orifice bleeding and administered radical urethrectomy.Since then,he has visited regularly for 6-mo follow-ups,and was in stable condition as of December 2022.CONCLUSION UTUC is prone to seeding and recurrence.Adjuvant instillation therapy and intense surveillance are crucial for these patients.