Potential of Perfusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Predict Residual Renal Function after Radical Nephroureterectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) technique with intravoxel incoherent motion model enables the estimation of capillary blood volume as a perfusion-related parameter- (PP-) value. Therefore, the PP-value of the kidney theoretically reflects renal capillary blood volume. We analyzed the usefulness of the PP-value in estimating postoperative renal function in upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) patients. METHODS: Forty-eight consecutive patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging before radical nephroureterectomy from 2011 to 2018 were analyzed. A PP-map displaying PP-values on a pixel-by-pixel basis was created from DWI signals (b-values of 0, 500, and 1,000 s/mm2). Two readers independently analyzed the renal PP-value. DWI-based split renal function (SRF) of the intact kidney was calculated by splitting serum Cr-based preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs). The predictive accuracy of the method was evaluated using renography as the reference standard. RESULTS: Interobserver analysis revealed an excellent correlation value of 0.97. The SRF value showed a good linear correlation with the observed postoperative eGFR (r = 0.76, p < 0.001). The predictive accuracy of the DWI-based method was similar to that of the nuclear-based method. CONCLUSION: This DWI-based evaluation of capillary blood volume provides a noninvasive tool for predicting the postoperative renal function, thereby facilitating the management of UTUC patients.

Segmental ureterectomy vs. radical nephroureterectomy for ureteral carcinoma in patients with a preoperative glomerular filtration rate less than 90 ml/min/1.73 m2: A multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare segmental ureterectomy (SU) and radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) in terms of overall survival (OS) and impact on postoperative renal function in patients treated for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) of the ureter with preoperatively reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected the data of consecutive patients treated for UTUC, in 6 Italian tertiary referral centers, from 2003 to 2013, and analyzed those treated with RNU or SU for ureteral cancer and with a preoperative eGFR <90 ml/min/1.73m2. The primary outcome was to compare the postoperative eGFR variation and the OS according to the surgical technique chosen. RESULTS: Out of 521 patients with UTUC, 228 patients had preoperative reduced eGFR. Out of these patients, 93 had ureteral cancer and were included in the primary analyses - 67 (72.0%) treated with RNU and 26 (28.0%) with SU. Preoperative characteristics were similar in the 2 groups. The overall median follow-up period was 26.5 months. A nonsignificant postoperative eGFR decrease of 3.0 ml/min/1.73m2 was found overall (P = 0.094), with nonsignificant difference between the 2 groups (P = 0.735). A comparable 5-year OS was calculated for RNU and SU patients (P = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: The type of surgery (SU vs. RNU) has a low impact on postoperative renal function and OS in patients with ureteral cancer and preoperative eGFR <90 ml/min/1.73m2. The indications for kidney sparing surgery for UTUC should be based on the surgical and oncological risks in these patients.

8-armed octopus: Evaluation of clinicopathologic prognostic factors of urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary system

Background/aim: This study was designed to determine the characteristic features of upper urinary system urothelial carcinomas (UUSUCs) and to evaluate the clinicopathological parameters associated with prognosis. Materials and methods: A total of 74 cases of UUSUC were included, from three different centers. Demographic data and histopathological features such as tumor localization, concomitant tumor in the urinary system, distant metastasis with overall survival and disease-free survival obtained from the hospital records were evaluated retrospectively. Histopathologic prognostic features such as grade, perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, tumor necrosis, and surgical margin status were also evaluated. Results: Seventy cases (94.6%) underwent open nephroureterectomy whereas 4 cases (5.4%) had laparoscopic nefroureterectomy. Thirty-eight (51.4%) cases were located in the pelvis, 7 (9.5%) in the ureter, 29 (39.2%) both in the pelvis and ureter. Fifty-six (75.7%) cases were alive; however, 18 (24.3%) patients were found to be dead. pTa, pT1, pT2, pT3, and pT4 tumors were reported in 16 (21.6%), 13 (17.6%), 4 (5.4%), 28 (37.8%), and 13 (17.6%) patients, respectively. Histopathologically, 17 cases (23%) were low-grade, 57 cases (77%) were high-grade. Statistically significant correlation was observed between overall survival and lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, tumor necrosis, and differentiation by univariate analysis. Only distant metastasis was statistically associated with overall survival by multivariate analysis. We found no significant relationship between disease-free survival and all parameters. Conclusion: Differentiation and necrosis of tumor, lymph node involvement, and presence of distant metastasis is associated with the overall survival of urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary system.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of oncological and renal function outcomes obtained after segmental ureterectomy versus radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the comparative studies reporting oncological and renal function outcomes of segmental ureterectomy (SU) versus radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for upper tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search on Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane library was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines, and a meta-analysis was performed to assess cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), intravesical recurrence free survival (IVRFS) and surgery-related variations in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). RESULTS: A total of 11 retrospective studies with 3963 patients who underwent either SU (n = 983; 24.8%) or RNU (n = 2980; 75.2%) were included. Although patients treated with SU were more likely to be diagnosed with favorable pathological features, the meta-analysis of unadjusted data revealed no significant difference between both groups in terms of CSS (HR 0.90, p = 0.33) and OS (HR 0.98, p = 0.93). Accordingly, the meta-analysis of adjusted data confirmed equivalent CSS (HR = 0.90, p = 0.47) between SU and RNU. Similarly, no significant difference was found in terms of RFS (HR 1.06, p = 0.72) and IVRFS (HR 1.35, p = 0.39). However, a significant decreased risk of impaired renal function was observed after SU when compared to RNU (mean eGFR difference = 9.32 ml/1.73 m2, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Although adverse patient and tumor characteristics were not equally balanced between treatment arms, our systematic review and meta-analysis supports similar oncological outcomes between SU and RNU, with better preservation of renal function after SU. As such, SU should be preferably used as the first-line treatment for low-risk ureter tumors, while considered for selected cases of high-risk disease.

Preoperative hydronephrosis is associated with less decline in renal function after radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: To compare renal function changes after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) based on the presence of preoperative hydronephrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinicopathologic data of 208 patients with UTUC treated surgically from 1998 to 2013 were compiled. Patients with bilateral disease, less than 1 month follow up, missing hydronephrosis data, or who underwent nephron-sparing approaches were excluded. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated preoperatively, at first follow up (within 3 months) and at last follow up using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. Events were defined as new-onset stage III chronic kidney disease (CKD) or worsening of CKD stage in preexisting CKD. Kaplan-Meier event-free survival was assessed. Cox regression was performed to identify predictors of events. RESULTS: A total of 132 patients were analyzed, including 62 (47.0%) with hydronephrosis. Median follow up was 28.6 months. Patients with hydronephrosis had larger tumors (p = 0.045) and higher pathologic stage (p = 0.010) than those without hydronephrosis. Baseline eGFR was comparable between groups (p = 0.088). Patients without hydronephrosis experienced greater declines in eGFR following surgery (p < 0.001) and higher event rates at first (42.8% versus 24.2%, p = 0.028) and last (54.2% versus 30.6%, p = 0.008) follow up. On Cox regression, hydronephrosis predicted lower event likelihood in the long term (univariate HR 0.54, p = 0.033), while ureteral tumor location predicted lower event likelihood in the short term (HR 0.52, p = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with hydronephrosis undergoing RNU for UTUC experience less decline in renal function than those without hydronephrosis. Given the prevalence of renal dysfunction in patients with UTUC, our results may help inform preoperative counseling.

Comparing Changes in Renal Function After Radical Surgery for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma and Renal Cell Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To compare changes in renal function after radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), and assess their effects on non-cancer-specific mortality (CSM). METHODS: Clinicopathologic data from 1114 patients with RCC or UTUC treated surgically from 1997 to 2013 were compiled. Patients who underwent nephron-sparing surgeries, had bilateral disease, received chemotherapy, or had <1 month of follow-up were excluded. Renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]) was calculated preoperatively, 3 months postoperatively, and at last follow-up. Events were defined as ≥25% decline in eGFR from baseline. Event-free survival and non-CSM were assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Multivariable Cox regression was performed to identify predictors of events. RESULTS: Four hundred thirty-five patients were included (317 radical nephrectomy, 118 radical nephroureterectomy). Median follow-up was 38.2 months. UTUC patients were older (P < .001), had worse Charlson score (P < .001), and more frequently used tobacco (P = .006). Median baseline eGFR was lower in UTUC patients (58.4 vs 74.9, P < .001). RCC patients experienced a larger event rate following surgery at first (56.8% vs 31.4%, P < .001) and last (51.7% vs 35.6%, P = .003) follow-up than UTUC patients. On Kaplan-Meier analysis, UTUC patients exhibited worse non-CSM (P < .001). Postsurgical decline in renal function was a significant predictor of non-CSM in RCC patients at first (hazard ratio = 4.71, P = .041) and last (hazard ratio = 4.56, P = .018) follow-up, whereas this was not the case for UTUC patients. CONCLUSION: UTUC patients had worse baseline eGFR and overall health status than RCC patients. RCC patients experienced greater postsurgical declines in renal function. These results shed light on differences in patient characteristics between these forms of kidney cancer and guide expectations for postoperative renal function.

Poor Preoperative Glycemic Control Is Associated with Dismal Prognosis after Radical Nephroureterectomy for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Korean Multicenter Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) and preoperative glycemic control on prognosis in Korean patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) who underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 566 patients who underwent RNU at six institutions between 2004 and 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the association between DM, preoperative glycemic control, and recurrence-free, cancer-specific, and overall survival. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 33.8 months (interquartile range, 41.4 months). A total of 135 patients (23.8%) had DM and 67 patients (11.8%) had poor preoperative glycemic control. Patients with poor preoperative glycemic control had significantly shorter median recurrence-free, cancer-specific, and overall survival than patients with good preoperative glycemic control and non-diabetics (all, p=0.001). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, DM with poor preoperative glycemic control showed association with worse recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio [HR], 2.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31 to 3.90; p=0.003), cancer-specific survival (HR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.80 to 4.87; p=0.001), and overall survival (HR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.40 to 3.22; p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Diabetic UTUC patients with poor preoperative glycemic control had significantly worse oncologic outcomes than diabetic UTUC patients with good preoperative glycemic control and non-diabetics. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the exact mechanism underlying the impact of glycemic control on UTUC treatment outcome.

Prediction of renal function after nephroureterectomy in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The estimated glomerular filtration rate is significantly decreased after nephroureterectomy. Deteriorating renal function likely affects the eligibility for cisplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma. The present study was undertaken to identify preoperative factors for the prediction of postoperative renal function and develop a prediction model. METHODS: Between June 1996 and January 2014, 110 patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy at our institution were analyzed in this study. The estimated glomerular filtration rate was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation. Univariate linear regression analyses were performed to investigate the correlation between postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate and preoperative variables. A stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate. RESULTS: Comparison of preoperative and postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate for each patient showed a median difference of 13.1 ml/min/1.73 m(2). The postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly lower than the preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (P < 0.001). On univariate analysis, age and preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate were significantly correlated with postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate. On multivariate analysis, age, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate and the presence of hydronephrosis were independent predictive factors of postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate. The predicted postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate, which was calculated using these independent factors, showed a significant correlation with the observed postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (correlation coefficient = 0.7533). CONCLUSIONS: Age, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate and the presence of hydronephrosis were independent predictors of postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma treated with radical nephroureterectomy. The predicted postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate based on these factors may be useful for choosing alternative management strategies such as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Development of robust/predictive control strategies for image-guided ablative treatments using a minimally invasive ultrasound applicator.

PURPOSE: One important challenge in image-guided ablative therapies is the effect of heat diffusion which can cause damage to surrounding organs and limit the ability to achieve a conformal pattern of thermal damage. Furthermore, tissue properties such as perfusion and energy absorption can be dynamic and difficult to measure. This paper attempts to address these problems by proposing new control methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A novel predictive approach was developed to compensate for the effect of heat diffusion using a minimally invasive rotating ultrasound heating applicator for ablative therapy. This method can be merged into any closed-loop control strategy. A binary controller, a previously developed adaptive proportional-integral controller, and a model reference adaptive controller were employed and compared, all with the predictive element incorporated. The reason for choosing these controllers was that none of them needed a model of the tissue or exact values of their parameters. RESULTS: The effectiveness of these controllers was demonstrated through both simulation and experimental studies. The results were consistent and demonstrated equivalent performance between controllers. CONCLUSIONS: The dominant influence on radial targeting accuracy was the prediction element described in this paper. A binary controller with a predictive element may provide the best balance of performance and simplicity for this application.

Equivalent survival and improved preservation of renal function after distal ureterectomy compared with nephroureterectomy in patients with urothelial carcinoma of the distal ureter: a propensity score-matched multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the oncological and functional outcome of distal ureterectomy compared with nephroureterectomy in the management of distal ureteral urothelial carcinoma. METHODS: Using a database including upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma patients (n = 1329), 282 patients were identified with urothelial carcinoma localized in the distal ureter on clinical evaluation. To adjust for potential baseline differences between groups, 43 patients undergoing distal ureterectomy were matched with 86 patients undergoing nephroureterectomy using propensity scoring. Cox regression models tested the effect of surgery type on recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was measured before and after surgery. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 50 months. There were no significant differences in 5-year recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival rates between the distal ureterectomy and nephroureterectomy groups (P = 0.22 and P = 0.70, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that surgery type was not associated with recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival (P = 0.90 and P = 0.28, respectively). In the subanalysis, recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival in the distal ureterectomy group were equivalent to those of the nephroureterectomy group in both pTa-1 and pT2-4 patients. Renal function was better preserved in the distal ureterectomy group than in the nephroureterectomy group (rate of change in estimated glomerular filtration rate 2% vs -20%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The oncological outcome of distal ureterectomy is comparable with that of nephroureterectomy in distal ureteral urothelial carcinoma patients, and distal ureterectomy provides better preservation of renal function. Distal ureterectomy would be feasible for carefully selected patients with distal ureteral urothelial carcinoma.

Renal function and oncologic outcomes of parenchymal sparing ureteral resection versus radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

PURPOSE: We compared renal function and oncologic outcomes of parenchymal sparing ureteral resection with radical nephroureterectomy for the treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma confined to the ureter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Review of a large institutional database identified 367 patients treated for primary upper tract urothelial carcinoma with radical nephroureterectomy or parenchymal sparing ureteral resection from 1994 to 2009. Patients with known renal pelvis tumors, muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma, prior cystectomy, contralateral upper tract urothelial carcinoma, metastatic disease or chemotherapy were excluded, leaving 120 patients for analysis. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. Recurrence-free, cancer specific and overall survival were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: Radical nephroureterectomy was performed in 87 patients and parenchymal sparing ureteral resection in 33. Median age at surgery was 73 years in the radical nephroureterectomy group (IQR 64-76) vs 70 years (IQR 59-77) in the parenchymal sparing ureteral resection group (p = 0.5). The radical nephroureterectomy and parenchymal sparing ureteral resection cohorts had several disparate clinicopathological variables including preoperative hydronephrosis (80% vs 45%, p = 0.0006), stage (pT3 or greater 26% vs 9%, p = 0.01) and baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (51 vs 63 ml/minute/1.73 m(2), p = 0.009). Patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy experienced a significantly greater decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate after surgery (median -7 vs 0 ml/minute/1.73 m(2), p <0.001). Median followup was 4.2 years. Of the patients 79 experienced cancer recurrence and 44 died (28 of upper tract urothelial carcinoma). There were no obvious differences in the rates of recurrence, cancer specific death or overall death by procedure type. However, due to the limited number of events we cannot exclude the possibility that there are large differences in oncologic outcomes by procedure type. CONCLUSIONS: Parenchymal sparing ureteral resection is associated with superior postoperative renal function. However, the impact on cancer control cannot be determined conclusively due to the small sample size and putative selection bias.

Transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract: optimizing image interpretation with 3D reconstructions.

PURPOSE: This article reviews the pathophysiology of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), CT urography (CTU) protocols, different possible 3D reconstruction techniques, and the importance of 3D reconstructions for appropriate interpretation. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: CTU has largely replaced conventional IV pyelography in the evaluation of the upper urinary tract for TCC. The majority of large lesions can be easily seen on standard axial images with multiplanar reformats. However, it is imperative to also use 3D reconstructions when interpreting these studies, as subtle lesions can be difficult to visualize on the more traditional images. In this pictorial essay, we present multiple cases of upper urinary tract TCC which illustrate the value of 3D reconstructions for increasing the conspicuity of lesions, particularly at the junction of the infundibulum and calyx and in the ureters. As these cases demonstrate, each of the three possible 3D reconstruction techniques (maximum intensity projection, volume rendering, and volume rendered "virtual ureteroscopy") has its own distinct advantages, although the pitfalls of each technique must also be kept in mind.

Changes in renal function following nephroureterectomy may affect the use of perioperative chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Nephroureterectomy alone fails to adequately treat many patients with advanced upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Perioperative platinum-based chemotherapy has been proposed but requires adequate renal function. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine whether the ability to deliver platinum-based chemotherapy following nephroureterectomy is affected by postoperative changes in renal function. DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS: We retrospectively reviewed data on 388 patients undergoing nephroureterectomy for UTUC between 1991 and 2009. Four institutions were included. INTERVENTION: All patients underwent nephroureterectomy. MEASUREMENTS: All patients had serum creatinine measured before and after surgery. The value closest to 3 mo after surgery was taken as the postoperative value (range: 2-52 wk). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation. eGFR values before and after surgery were compared using the paired t test. We chose an eGFR of 45 and 60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) as possible cut-offs for chemotherapy eligibility and compared eligibility before and after surgery using the chi-square test. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Our cohort of 388 patients included 233 men (60%) with a median age of 70 yr. Mean eGFR decreased by 24% after surgery. Using a cut-off of 60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), 49% of patients were eligible for chemotherapy before surgery, but only 19% of patients remained eligible postoperatively. Using a cut-off of 45 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), 80% of patients were eligible preoperatively, but only 55% remained eligible after surgery. This distribution persisted when we limited the analysis to patients with advanced pathologic stage (T3 or higher). Patients older than the median age of 70 yr were more likely to be ineligible for chemotherapy both pre- and postoperatively by either definition, and they were significantly more likely to have an eGFR <45 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) postoperatively, regardless of their starting eGFR. This study is limited by its retrospective nature, and there was some variability in the timing of postoperative serum creatinine measurements. CONCLUSIONS: eGFR is significantly diminished after nephroureterectomy, particularly in elderly patients. These changes in renal function likely affect eligibility for adjuvant cisplatin-based therapy. Accordingly, we suggest strong consideration of neoadjuvant regimens.

Urothelial neoplasms of the kidney and ureter. An epidemiologic, pathologic, and clinical review.

Urothelial neoplasms occur with varying frequency at different sites along the urothelial tract. Approximately 5% of urothelial neoplasms occur in the kidneys and ureters, while the majority of these tumors occur in the urinary bladder. Consequently, urothelial disease of the bladder has been evaluated to a greater extent than urothelial tumors elsewhere, and many of the features of bladder urothelial neoplasms have been applied to these tumors at other sites. While the classification of urothelial neoplasms is the same for tumors in the bladder, kidney, and ureter, there are some features of urothelial neoplasms of the kidney and ureter that are unique to these sites. An epidemiologic, pathologic, and clinical review of urothelial neoplasms of the kidney and ureter is presented.

Is renal function at the tumor side a prognostic factor in ureteral transitional cell carcinoma?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the ipsilateral renal function on the tumor side is a prognostic factor in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the ureter. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 129 consecutive patients with ureteral TCC between September 1973 and July 1993 at our hospital. There were 98 males and 31 females aged from 31 to 84 years (mean 64.9). Of them, 126 patients who received intravenous pyelography (IVP) were divided into 3 groups according to their radiological findings (group 1: nonvisualization of kidney at tumor side; group 2: hydronephrosis or hydroureter; group 3: no obstruction). Eighty patients receiving radionuclide (131I-hippuran) renal function test (RRFT) with available effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) were divided into 2 groups using ipsilateral ERPF 50 ml/min as a cutoff value (group 1: < 50 ml/min; group 2: > or = 50 ml/min). The mean survival of each group was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: For patients receiving IVP, the mean survivals were 61.7, 99.7 and 83.8 months for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and the differences between each 2 of the 3 groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05). For patients having RRFT, the mean survivals were 65.8 months for group 1 and 89.2 months for group 2 patients, and the difference between them was statistically significant (p < 0.05). When renal function, tumor number, grade, stage and type of treatment were analyzed using a multivariate method, only tumor stage was statistically significant as a prognostic factor. CONCLUSION: Ipsilateral renal function at the tumor side is not a good prognostic factor for patients with ureteral TCC. However, when the stage of tumor is not available, renal function at the tumor side may provide an implication of the patient's prognosis.

[Squamous cell carcinoma of ureter in a patient with functional solitary kidney treated by partial ureterectomy: a case report].

We report a case of squamous cell carcinoma of ureter. A 60-year-old female was referred to our hospital for the right hydronephrosis and the left atrophic kidney. She had been suffering from severe renal dysfunction and had hemodialysis a month earlier. Retrograde and antegrade right pyelography revealed complete obstruction of the right lower ureter about 2 cm in length. Transcutaneous retrograde left pyelography revealed vesicoureteral junction stenosis. After improvement of the renal function by transcutaneous right nephrostomy, the patient underwent right partial ureterectomy. Pathological examination revealed squamous cell carcinoma, grade 2, pT3 in the right ureter. Neither local recurrence nor distant metastasis has occurred for 19 months and the patient retains moderate renal function. We reviewed sixty-four cases of ureteral squamous cell carcinoma in the Japanese literature and discussed the renal parenchymal sparing surgery for the disease.

Loss of human E-cadherin (ECD) correlated with invasiveness of transitional cell cancer in the renal pelvis, ureter and urinary bladder.

Loss or decreased expression of E-cadherin (ECD), which forms an epithelial junction complex that includes several other proteins and triggers signal transduction, may contribute to tumor progression. In the present study, we examined 90 transitional cell cancers (TCCs), 47 urinary bladder cancers and 43 ureteral or renal pelvic cancers, as well as TCC and papilloma cell lines to determine whether they express ECD. We classified ECD expression into normo-expression (like normal epithelial), decreased and loss of ECD staining on TCCs (urinary bladder, renal pelvic or ureteral). We found that low-stage TCCs expressed normal ECD in 68%, decreased of ECD in 20% and loss of ECD in 12%, whereas high-stage TCCs expressed 29%, 41% and 30% of ECD staining, respectively (P < 0.01). Furthermore, grade 1 TCCs were all estimated to show normo-expression, grade 2 TCCS expressed normal ECD in 49%, decreased of ECD in 41% and loss of ECD in 10% grade 3 TCCs classified as 20%, 30% and 50%, respectively (P < 0.01). Staining for cultured cell lines showed positive membranous staining for ECD in a benign papilloma cell line, RT4 and a TCC cell line, HT1376, but not in a TCC cell line, T24. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction showed the presence of ECD and alpha-catenin mRNA in RT4 and HT1376, and only alpha-catenin in T24. Thus, it is more likely that decrease or loss of ECD might contribute to the malignant character of tumor cells and result in tumor progression.