Impact of diagnostic ureteroscopy on intravesical recurrence in patients undergoing radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim of this study was to analyse the association between the use of diagnostic ureteroscopy (URS) and the development of intravesical recurrence (IVR) in patients undergoing radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for high-risk upper tract urothelial carcinoma. A systematic review of the published data was performed up to December 2016, using multiple search engines to identify eligible studies. A formal meta-analysis was conducted of studies comparing patients who underwent URS before RNU with those who did not. Hazard ratios (HRs), with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs), from each study were used to calculate pooled HRs. Pooled estimates were calculated using a fixed-effects or random-effects model according to heterogeneity. Statistical analyses were performed using RevMan, version 5. Seven studies were included in the systematic review, but only six of these were deemed fully eligible for meta-analysis. Among the 2 382 patients included in the meta-analysis, 765 underwent diagnostic URS prior to RNU. All examined studies were retrospective, and the majority examined Asian populations. The IVR rate ranged from 39.2% to 60.7% and from 16.7% to 46% in patients with and without prior URS, respectively. In the pooled analysis, a statistically significant association was found between performance of URS prior to RNU and IVR (HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.33-1.88; P < 0.001). There was no heterogeneity in the observed outcomes, according to the I2 statistic of 2% (P = 0.40). Within the intrinsic limitations of this type of analysis, these findings suggest a significant association between the use of diagnostic URS and higher risk of developing IVR after RNU. Further research in this area should be encouraged to further investigate the possible causality behind this association and it potential clinical implications.

Feasibility of Robot - assisted Segmental Ureterectomy and Ureteroureterostomy in Patient with High Medical Comorbidity.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Nephroureterectomy remains the gold standard treatment option for upper tract tumors. However, segmental ureterectomy may be another option in patients with single kidney, borderline renal function or high medical comorbidities. The aim of this video is to assess the feasibility of robotic surgery as a minimally invasive technique in treatment of a high comorbid patient with ureteric tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-year old male patient, with a medical history of chronic hypertensive and uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus, was referred to our department for treatment of ureteric tumor. Patient underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy 5 years ago. Patient's Charlson comorbidity index score was 9. Computed tomography showed a 2.5cm right ureteral luminal filling enhancing lesion at lower part of upper 1/3 ureter. We performed diagnostic flexible cystoscopy under local anesthesia to exclude associated lower urinary tract carcinoma, and bladder wash was negative for malignancy. Under general anesthesia patient underwent diagnostic flexible ureteroscopy to confirm mass location, and a retrograde pyelography to rule out additional tumors on the right collecting system. Then, the patient was placed in the full lateral flank position without Table flexion. Ports placement were inserted as follow: a "12mm" optical trocar at pararectal line superior and lateral to umbilicus, two "8mm" robotic trocars cranial and caudal to optical trocar (8cm distance), a "8mm" robotic trocar towards anterior superior ischial spine, and a "12mm" assistant trocar was inserted between umbilicus and pubic bone. The surgical steps are shown in the video. RESULTS: The procedure was performed easily. The total operative time and consol time were 100 and 60 minutes, respectively. Blood loss was 50ml. No reported intraoperative or postoperative complications. Notably, we took full precautions in case of intraoperative failure to complete the procedure successfully, nephroureterectomy was our second option. Postoperative serum creatinine was 1.2mg/dL and length of hospital stay was 2 days. The frozen biopsy showed that the tumor was resected with safe proximal and distal surgical margins. Final histopathology revealed high grade (G3) urothelial carcinoma (pT3), measures (1.3x1.2x0.2cm), associated with carcinoma in situ. CONCLUSION: We affirm that robotic segmental ureterectomy and ureteroureterostomy could be offered safely as a minimally invasive treatment for patients with ureteric tumors and high-risk medical comorbidities. It provides excellent perioperative outcomes and early oncological safety with regard to surgical margins.

[Locally Advanced Ureteral Cancer Seen in an Ectopic Kidney : A Case Report].

An ectopic kidney is a common congenital anomaly of the urogenital system, but malignant tumor in an ectopic kidney has been rarely reported. We report a case of ureteral carcinoma arising from an ectopic kidney in an 83-year-old male. He visited a hospital complaining of gross hematuria. Computed tomography revealed right ectopic kidney, right ureteral tumor and bladder tumor around the right ureteral orifice. Transurethral resection of the bladder tumor was performed and histopathological diagnosis was urothelial carcinoma. He was referred to our clinic for surgery of the right ureteral tumor. We performed open right nephroureterectomy and partial cystectomy. The histopathological diagnosis was a high grade urothelial carcinoma of the right ureter, pT3N0. Four months postoperatively, there was no evidence of recurrence. We discuss the clinical and pathological features of the malignancy in an ectopic kidney.

[Inflammatory Pseudotumor of the Ureter : A Case Report and a Review].

We report a case of inflammatory pseudotumor of the ureter. An 81-year-old man who had an operation of pelvic exenteration with ileal conduit presented with right flank pain. Computed tomography revealed a 16 mm mass of the right ureter with right hydronephrosis and renal atrophy. The mass increased in size during follow up. Right nephroureterectomy was performed with suspicion of ureteral cancer. Histopathological finding showed an inflammatory pseudotumor. No obvious recurrence has been observed for 33 months after the surgery.

[A case of effective neoadjuvant chemotherapy (MVEC) against right ureteral cancer involving bladder (cT4N1M0)].

Poorly differentiated ureteral cancer has a poor prognosis, and tumor recurrence is frequent even after nephroureterectomy. We performed neoadjuvant chemotherapy to prevent postoperative recurrence. A 74-year-old man was diagnosed with ureteral cancer (3 cm) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The clinical stage was T4N1M0. Histological examination by transurethral biopsy revealed an urothelial carcinoma, G3, pT1. After a month, the tumor size increased from 3.0 cm to 4.0 cm. With two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of methotrexate, vinblastine, epirubicin and cisplatin (MVEC) partial remission (regression rate : 87%) was achieved, Following MVEC, right retroperitoneoscopy-assisted nephroureterectomy, total cystectomy, and ileal conduit were performed. Pathological stage was pT0. After two years, postoperative recurrence has not appeared.

Laparoendoscopic single site (LESS) nephroureterectomy: an overview of techniques & outcomes.

LaparoEndoscopic Single-Site (LESS) nephroureterectomy is a recent iteration of laparoscopic renal surgery whereby the minimally-invasive approach of laparoscopy has been condensed to a single operative access site in efforts to minimize convalescence and improve cosmesis. To date, LESS nephroureterectomy has been reported successful for both adult and pediatric patient populations, most commonly for treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma in adults. For the treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinomas, comparative oncologic effectiveness of LESS compared to conventional laparoscopy or open surgery is pending further investigation. Overall, LESS nephroureterectomy has proven its role as a feasible and safe option of minimally-invasive surgery, minimizing the number and length of the surgical incisions used.

Endoscopic treatment of urothelial tumours of the renal pelvis and ureter.

Endoscopic treatment of urothelial tumors of renal pelvis and ureter is gaining acceptance as a conservative treatment modality. Technological advances have increased its applicability. Ureteroscopic and percutaneous tumor ablation have become reasonable treatment options for patients with imperative indications, such as bilateral disease, renal insufficiency or solitary kidney. However, endoscopic tumor ablation is being utilized more frequently for patients with UTTCC even in the setting low grade disease and a normal contralateral kidney, provided long-term close surveillance to detect and treat recurrences is ensured. This paper reviews the current role of endoscopic management of UTTCC.

Modified transperitoneal versus retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy in the management of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma: Best practice in a single center with updated results.

OBJECTIVE: Radical nephroureterectomy remains the gold standard for the surgical treatment of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Based on previous research, we prospectively compared the advantages of transperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (TLNU) with a three-port technique in a single position versus retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (RLNU). METHODS: We evaluated 48 patients diagnosed with UTUC at our institution from January 2015 to October 2019. The patients underwent either TLNU (n = 24) or RLNU (n = 24). We randomly assigned the patients to each technique group based on their body mass index because our experience has shown that the body mass index is the main interfering factor for this surgery. The baseline characteristics and perioperative outcomes were compared between the groups. RESULTS: We found no significant differences in the baseline characteristics, time until recovery of intestinal function, or postoperative hospital stay between the two groups. However, the TLNU group had a shorter operation time and better postoperative pain control than the RLNU group. CONCLUSION: Modified TLNU is associated with a shorter operative time and less severe postoperative pain compared with RLNU. Both techniques are safe and reliable with adequate management, and their therapeutic effects are comparable in other aspects.

Robotic distal ureterectomy with reimplantation in malignancy: technical nuances.

AIM: To present the point of technique of robotic distal ureterectomy under cystoscopic guidance with pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLND), ureteral reconstruction with and without a psoas hitch in patients with distal ureteral urothelial cancer (DUCC) and to review the current literature. METHODS: The various steps of operative technique of robotic PLND, distal ureterectomy under cystoscopic guidance, ureteral reconstruction with and without a psoas hitch in patients of DUCC are described. Several tricks have been highlighted to undertake such procedure. The published English literature was also searched using the key words; robot, laparoscopy, ureteral reimplantation, distal ureterectomy, psoas hitch, and ureteroneocystostomy; so as to provide an up to date review on subject. RESULTS: The technique robotic pelvic lymphadenectomy, distal ureterectomy, ureteral reimplantation with and without a psoas hitch in patients with DUCC was successful in both our patients. The mean operating room time, robotic (console) time, mean estimated blood loss and mean hospital stay were 250 min, 130 min, 150 cc and 2.2 days respectively. There were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: The technique of robotic distal ureterectomy with ureteral reimplant for malignant ureteral strictures continues to be in evolution. Surgeon should be versatile with various options and technical nuances while dealing with these cases. The short term oncologic outcomes appear to be satisfactory and encouraging, while the long term results are awaited.

[Tumour in the ureter stump 13 years after nephrectomy--a rare case of endometriosis]. / Guz w kikucie moczowodu po trzynastu latach od wykonania nefrektomii--rzadka postac endometriozy.

Endometriosis is found in the urinary tract in 1-2% of women suffering from this disease. The most common site is urinary bladder (81%). In the ureter it is found in only 15% of cases and it mainly involves the pelvic part. The authors present a case of 49-year old woman who was diagnosed with an endometriotic tumour in the stump of the ureter, 13 years after left nephrectomy performed for hydronephrosis and lack of the kidney's function confirmed in renal scintigraphy. After laser ablation and hormonal therapy the tumour burden was diminished and symptoms resolved.

Ureteral tumor in an ectopic duplex system: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Ureteral ectopia is a rarely observed anomaly. It may be totally asymptomatic. An association with a duplex system is exceptional. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are challenging. Carcinologic surgery must consider the anatomic variant, mainly related to the ectopic site of the ureteral orifice. OBSERVATION: We report a case of a ureteral urothelial carcinoma in a North African 52-year-old male patient, in a right duplex system. Radiological explorations concluded a non-functional upper right kidney. A suspect mass was observed in the lumbar part of the ureter of the right upper system. The meatus of the tumorous ureter ended in the right lobe of the prostate. A right hemi-nephro-ureterectomy was performed. A histological examination concluded a pT2G2 urothelial carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Even if malignancy is rarely observed in ureteral ectopia, it should be evoked mainly in cases of hematuria with risk factors for urothelial tumors.

Phase II California Cancer Consortium Trial of Gemcitabine-Eribulin Combination in Cisplatin-Ineligible Patients With Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma: Final Report (NCI-9653).

PURPOSE: Patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma are often ineligible for cisplatin-based treatments. A National Cancer Institute Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program-sponsored trial assessed the tolerability and efficacy of a gemcitabine-eribulin combination in this population. METHODS: Patients with treatment-naïve advanced or recurrent metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, ureter, or urethra not amenable to curative surgery and not candidates for cisplatin-based therapy were eligible. Cisplatin ineligibility was defined as creatinine clearance less than 60 mL/min (but ≥ 30 mL/min), grade 2 neuropathy, or grade 2 hearing loss. Treatment was gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 intravenously followed by eribulin 1.4 mg/m2, both on days 1 and 8, repeated in 21-day cycles until progression or unacceptable toxicity. A Simon two-stage phase II trial design was used to distinguish between Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1 objective response rates of 20% versus 50%. RESULTS: Between June 2015 and March 2017, 24 eligible patients with a median age of 73 years (range, 62 to 88 years) underwent therapy. Performance status of 0, 1, or 2 was seen in 11, 11, and two patients, respectively. Sites of disease included: lymph nodes, 16; lungs, nine; liver, seven; bladder, five; bones, two. Median number of cycles received was four (range, one to 16). Of 24 patients, 12 were confirmed responders; the observed objective response rate was 50% (95% CI, 29% to 71%). Median overall survival was 11.9 months (95% CI, 5.6 to 20.4 months), and median progression-free survival was 5.3 months (95% CI, 4.5 to 6.7 months). The most common treatment-related any-grade toxicities were fatigue (83% of patients), neutropenia (79%), anemia (63%), alopecia (50%), elevated AST (50%), and constipation, nausea, and thrombocytopenia (42% each). CONCLUSION: Gemcitabine-eribulin treatment response and survival for cisplatin-ineligible patients compare favorably to other regimens. Additional research is needed.

[Bilateral multiple ureteral polyps causing intermittent hydronephrosis: a case report].

We report an unusual case of bilateral ureteral polyps causing intermittent hydronephrosis, which developed extensively in the upper part of ureters. The patient was an 8-year-old male. He had several episodes of gross hematuria with right flank pain. Ultrasonography of the kidney showed mild bilateral hydronephrosis, while this finding was markedly aggravated in association with the onset of pain. Intravenous pyelogram and retrograde pyelogram revealed multiple filling defects in both upper parts of ureters. Since the diseased part of the ureter was wide (about 7 cm in length), a segmental resection of the right ureter with mobilization of the right kidney was performed, followed by end-to-end ureteral anastomosis. The pathological diagnosis was fibroepithelial polyps. Regarding the disease of contralateral ureter, no surgical treatment was performed because he had no clinical symptoms. Six years after the surgery, he again developed gross hematuria with left flank pain. Marked dilatation of the left renal pelvis was shown by ultrasonography, which suggested left intermittent hydronephrosis caused by ureteral polyps. He underwent a partial ureterectomy with mobilization of the left kidney for the left ureteral disease. No recurrence of polyps has been observed in the urinary tract since this surgery.

Localized Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor Involving the Genitourinary System: Adolescent Case Series and Review.

We describe four adolescent cases of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor involving the genitourinary system. Two patients with masses of the urinary bladder presented with gross hematuria. The third patient presented with left flank pain and a mass encasing the left ureter causing hydronephrosis. The fourth patient presented with a painless, growing palpable mass of the left hemiscrotum. Currently, no standards exist for the management of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors. Herein, we discuss the work-up and treatment approaches taken in each case.

How we do it: robotic-assisted distal ureterectomy with ureteral reimplantation

ABSTRACT Background: High risk upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is typically managed with radical nephroureterectomy, however, renal preservation can be attempted when UTUC is localized to the distal ureter in the presence of chronic kidney disease (1-3). Distal ureterectomy is typically managed with a ureteral reimplantation and psoas hitch in order to maintain urothelial continuity, to avoid comprising the contralateral ureter, and reducing risk of chronic urinary tract infections and electrolyte abnormalities (4). We present our case of distal ureteral UTUC managed robotically with a distal ureterectomy with ureteral reimplantation. Technique and Follow-Up: Initially, an Orandi needle on a resectoscope circumscribed the left ureteral orifice. Next, robotically, the retroperitoneum was exposed and a left sided pelvic lymphadenectomy was completed. The left ureter was mobilized and the diseased ureteral segment was transected. The mobilized bladder was sutured to psoas fascia. After a cystotomy, the ureter was re-anastomosed to the bladder. The patient was discharged on postoperative day three and re-evaluated one week later with a cystogram. Final pathology was downgraded to non-invasive low-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma with negative lymph nodes and margins. Conclusion: High risk UTUC localized to the distal ureter in the setting of chronic kidney disease can be managed with a distal ureterectomy (3). Robotic distal ureterectomy with ureteral reimplantation can be assisted by an Orandi needle to achieve negative margins. Utilizing a robotic technique can offer challenges with the ureteral spatulation and reanastomosis (5-7). By fixating the ureter to the bladder prior to reanastomosis, our technique offers a solution for these difficulties.

A Case for Nephron Sparing Surgery in the Management of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is rare and its management presents many challenges. Outside of distal ureterectomy for select cases, management has been primarily radical nephroureterectomy. Endoscopic nephron sparing management (NSM) is recognized to have some role in UTUC treatment; however, it is yet to gain firm footing in the treatment algorithm. In this review, we discuss the benefits of NSM with regards to oncologic outcomes, renal function preservation, and cost savings. Finally, we propose recognition of endoscopic NSM as a first-line treatment in selected patients with low risk disease.