Immunotherapy in patients with brain metastasis: advances and challenges for the treatment and the application of circulating biomarkers.

The central nervous system (CNS) is one of the most frequent metastatic sites of various cancers, including lung cancer, breast cancer and melanoma. The development of brain metastases requires a specific therapeutic approach and is associated with high mortality and morbidity in cancer patients. Advances in precision medicine and the introduction in recent years of new drugs, such as immunotherapy, have made it possible to improve the prognosis of these patients by improving survival and quality of life. New diagnostic techniques such as liquid biopsy allow real-time monitoring of tumor evolution, providing molecular information on prognostic and predictive biomarkers of response to treatment in blood or other fluids. In this review, we perform an exhaustive update of the clinical trials that demonstrate the utility of immunotherapy in patients with brain metastases and the potential of circulating biomarkers to improving the results of efficacy and toxicity in this subgroup of patients.

Clinical, molecular, and immune correlates of the Immunotherapy Response Score in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma under atezolizumab monotherapy: analysis of the phase II IMvigor210 trial.

BACKGROUND: In the advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC) scenario there are no consistent immune checkpoint blockade predictive biomarkers. Recently a novel pan-tumor molecular tissue-based biomarker, the Immunotherapy Response Score (IRS), has been proposed. We conducted a retrospective study to validate the prognostic/predictive utility of the IRS in patients with aUC under atezolizumab monotherapy and to characterize its underlying molecular/immune features in the context of the IMvigor210 phase II trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a post hoc pooled analysis of 261 patients with available clinical, molecular, and immune tumor data treated with atezolizumab monotherapy in the IMvigor210 phase II clinical trial. Efficacy endpoints were overall survival (OS), disease control rate (DCR), and overall response rate (ORR). Survival estimates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and groups were compared with the log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to evaluate factors independently associated with OS. Factors associated with disease control (DC) and response were tested with logistic regression in univariable and multivariable analyses. Comparisons between patient and disease characteristics were carried out using chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. All P values were two-sided, and those <0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: High IRS was significantly associated with a better OS in univariable [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.49, P < 0.001] and multivariable (HR = 0.60, P = 0.018) analyses. DCR and ORR were significantly higher among high IRS patients (DCR for high IRS versus low IRS patients: 57% versus 32%, P < 0.001; ORR: 42% versus 10%, P < 0.001). High IRS patients presented a higher probability of DC and response in univariable [DC: odds ratio (OR) = 2.72, P < 0.001; response: OR = 3.92, P < 0.001] and multivariable (DC: OR = 2.72, P < 0.001; response: OR = 3.92, P < 0.001) analyses. CONCLUSIONS: This study validates IRS as a strong independent prognostic and predictive biomarker for OS and DC/response in patients with aUC treated with atezolizumab monotherapy in the IMvigor210 phase II clinical trial.

Improvements in the Effectiveness of Early Detection in Colorectal Cancer with Open-Label Randomised Study.

INTRODUCTION: The general objective of this research is to improve the quality of colorectal cancer screening (CRC) by assessing, as an indicator of effectiveness, the ability of colonoscopy to detect more advanced adenomas in the exposed group than in the control group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present work is designed as an open-label randomized study on cancer screening, using two groups based on their exposure to the protocol: an exposed to intervention group (EIG, 167), and a control group (CG, 167), without the intervention of the protocol and by 1:1 matching. RESULTS: In 167 patients in the GEI, 449 polyps are visualized and 274 are adenomas (80.58%), of which 100 (36.49%) are advanced adenomas. In the CG (n = 174), there are 321 polyps and 152 adenomas (82.60%). The variables significantly associated by logistic regression to the detection of adenomas are the male sex with an OR of 2.52. The variable time to withdrawal, ≥9 min, is significant at 99% confidence (p = 0.002/OR 34.67) and the fractional dose is significant at 99% (p = 0.009, OR 7.81). CONCLUSION: Based on the observations made, our study suggests that the intervention in collaboration between primary care and hospital care is effective from a preventive point of view and achieves the objective of effectiveness and quality of the PCCR.

Concurrent chemoradiation for locally advanced stage III non-small cell lung cancer with cisplatin, vinorelbine, and thoracic radiotherapy: a phase II study from the Galician Lung Cancer Group.

PURPOSE: The aim of this phase II study was to evaluate the activity and safety of the combination of cisplatin and vinorelbine with thoracic radiotherapy in unresectable locally advanced stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR). Secondary objectives included toxicity profile, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 48 NSCLC patients were enrolled (median age 60 years, 52% stage IIIA and 48% stage IIIB, 52% adenocarcinoma). Patients received three cycles of chemotherapy every 21 days [intravenous cisplatin 80 mg/m2 and intravenous vinorelbine 25 mg/m2 on day 1 and oral vinorelbine on day 8 (60 mg/m2)] concurrent with radiotherapy (66 Gy, administered at 1.8 Gy per day, five consecutive days per week). RESULTS: ORR was 79.2% (72.9% showing partial response and 6.3% showing complete response). With a median follow-up of 20.7 months, median PFS was 12 months and median OS was 36 months. Grade 3/4 toxicities were: neutropenia (14.5%), anaemia (6.2%), vomiting (2%), and oesophagitis (4.2%). No toxic deaths were reported. CONCLUSION: This combined regimen shows efficacy and a manageable safety profile. PFS and OS outcomes are encouraging and warrant further research.

Epidermal growth factor receptor expression in gastric tumors and its relationship with the germline polymorphisms - 216 G>T, -191 C>A, (CA) n IVS1, and R521K.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is the third worldwide leading cause of cancer-related death affecting both sexes. The aberrant expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene has been detected in many human epithelial malignancies and linked to advanced disease, more aggressive phenotype, and poor prognosis. AIMS: To analyze the relation that the expression of EGFR in gastric tumors holds with pathological characteristics and with the germline polymorphisms -216 G>T, -191 C>A, (CA) n IVS1, and R521K. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 22 biopsies from gastric tumors obtained by endoscopy. EGFR expression was determined by relative quantification real-time polymerase chain reaction with the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase reference gene (as for messenger RNA [mRNA]) and by immunohistochemistry (IHC) (as for protein). EGFR germline polymorphisms were analyzed by sequencing, GeneScan, and restriction fragment length polymorphisms. RESULTS: EGFR mRNA expression was increased (>2-fold) in 13.6% of GC cases, decreased (<0.5-fold) in 68.2%, and normal in 18.2%; overexpression was related to well-differentiated gastric tumors, whereas underexpression was linked to moderate or poorly differentiated gastric tumors (P < 0.001). EGFR protein expression was high (IHC 2+ and 3+) in 29.4% of gastric tumors and was normal or low (score 0 to 1+) in 70.6% cases. EGFR expression, in both mRNA and protein, was not related to any EGFR polymorphism (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Most gastric tumors showed low EGFR expression (mRNA and protein), whereas EGFR overexpression was related to well-differentiated gastric tumors. Furthermore, germinal polymorphisms -216, -191, (CA) n IVS1, and R521K were not related to EGFR expression (mRNA or protein).

[Reported prevalence of family history of colorectal cancer in the city of Gijon (Spain)]. / Prevalencia declarada de antecedentes familiares de cáncer colorrectal en la población de Gijón.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of family history of colorectal cancer (CRC) in a population between 40 and 75 years-old, as well as acceptability and early diagnosis tests made. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study. LOCATION: El Coto and El Llano (Gijon) primary care health centres. A total of 800 individuals aged between 40 and 75 years participated, selected by simple random sampling. Key measurements: questionnaire conducted by telephone with previous notice by newsletter. The variables studied were: family history (FH) of CRC, age at diagnosis, performance of faecal occult blood test (FOBT)/colonoscopy, reason for doing it or refusing it, and sociodemographic data. RESULTS: A total of 664 questionnaires were valid. The prevalence of FH was 15.8% (confidence interval 12.9 to 18.6), with 8.8% with at least one first degree relative. An FOBT screening had been performed on 7.1%, and 17.9% had undergone colonoscopies, mostly on clinical grounds. Acceptability was 90.7% for FOBT and 65.2% for colonoscopy. Main reason for the refusal of an FOBT was the belief that early diagnosis would not alter prognosis. Main reason for rejection of colonoscopy was discomfort or fear of the test. CONCLUSIONS: There was a low rate of testing for FH, and a high acceptability for FOBT and a low acceptability for colonoscopy. Aspects affecting the general population (causes for rejection, need for clear information), as well as a correct coordination between Primary Care, specialized care, and public health, need to be reviewed.

Stage pT3a of renal clear cell carcinoma: do tumors with sinus fat involvement behave the same as those with perinephric fat involvement?

INTRODUCTION: In this report, we review our series of patients with pT3a clear cell renal carcinoma (CCRC) and comment on their outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have reviewed 260 cases of CCRC operated in the Móstoles General Hospital, Madrid, between 2000 and 2004. We have found 30 cases with pT3a tumors. Eleven of them were invading the perinephric fat, nine were invading the renal sinus fat and ten were pT3a locally but showed metastasis at the moment of diagnosis (cM1, TNM stage IV). We have analyzed the prognostic influence of histopathological parameters (vascular invasion, size, Fuhrman grade) and also immunohistochemical ones (p53, cyclin D1, proliferation index with Ki67, bcl-2 and vascular density with CD34). RESULTS: Only six of 10 patients with perinephric fat involvement died of disease compared with all the patients with sinus fat involvement, suggesting a worse prognosis for the latter. However, this difference did not reach statistical significance, probably due to the small number of cases. Of all the clinical, histological and immunohistochemical factors analyzed, only cyclin D1 was a strong indicator of worse prognosis in pT3a CCRC (p=0.02). We could not show any statistically significant relation between vascular density and prognosis. Vascular invasion was the only histological parameter that showed a trend toward significance (p=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Sinus fat involvement might be underestimated in some series. A protocol for nephrectomy specimen handling could improve the detection rate of sinus fat involvement and allow the performance of randomized prospective studies to determine whether these tumors behave similarly.

Paclitaxel and cisplatin in the treatment of metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer during pregnancy.

The concomitant occurrence of cancer during pregnancy is a rare event. The cancers most frequently detected during pregnancy are breast, cervical, melanoma, ovarian, leukaemia and lymphoma, however the diagnosis of lung cancer during pregnancy is particularly exceptional. In this case, we report on a pregnant woman who was diagnosed with non-small-cell lung cancer and received therapy with paclitaxel and cisplatin.

[Utility of FDG-PET for early evaluation of efficiency of imatinib mesylate (Glivec) in the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors]. / Utilidad de la FDG-PET en la evaluación precoz de la eficacia de imatinib (Glivec) en el tratamiento de tumores del estroma gastrointestinal.

The management of gastrointestinal stromal tumors, usually defined as c-KIT-positive mesenchymal neoplasias, has evolved very rapidly in the last five years. Imatinib mesylate (Glivec(R)) is the standard treatment in unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Imatinib should be given until development of intolerance or progressive disease. It is not uncommon for gastrointestinal stromal tumors to become larger during the early post-treatment phase and conventional response to treatment criteria in solid tumors have a limited value for evaluation the efficiency of imatinib in this period. FDG-PET has proven to be highly sensitive in detecting early response tumor. A 53-year old woman was diagnosed of relapsed gastrointestinal stromal tumor 18 months after adyuvant imatinib mesylate finished. Imatinib was started and 72 hours later the tumor showed a decrease of fluorodeoxyglucose F18 uptake on positron emission tomography scan.

[Internet use in patients attending a hospital urology clinic]. / Uso de internet en pacientes que acuden a consulta hospitalaria de urología.

HYPOTHESIS: The increase in the awareness of computers in the general population and the spread of Internet as a tool for communication and knowledge, allows patients to have greater understanding of their conditions. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of Internet by the population from a health area and the knowledge extracted about their urological conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study included all patients of age who attended a hospital urology clinic between 1st September and 31st December 2006, in a health area of 200,000 inhabitants. All patients were given a self-administered questionnaire to complete; medical staff did not intervene in filling it out in any case. The study variables were age (under 30, between 30 and 60 and over 60), sex, patient's pathology (only those with at least 5 cases were assessed), educational level (none, primary school qualification, intermediate studies and university studies), presence of a computer at home (yes/no), knowledge of the existence of internet (yes/no), searches performed on urological conditions and influence of these consultations in their relationship with their doctor. The relationship between the use of internet and the different variables was evaluated using the Kruskall-Wallis test. A probability of the null hypothesis less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 1,111 questionnaires were received, of which 1,062 were useful for processing. The mean age was 60.98 with a standard error of 15.08. 18.4% were women. The population distribution by level of studies was: 22.2% uneducated, 43.5% with primary education qualification, 27.5% with intermediate educational level and 6.8% university graduates. 58.4% of patients denied having a computer at home, 37.7% do not know what internet is, 76.7% do not have an e-mail address and just 6.7% visit medical pages, although only 1.5% admit having asked their doctor about information received on internet. According to classification by age, patients under 30 have significantly greater knowledge of computers and internet (p<0.001). However, there were no significant differences shown between the age and the fact of asking about information received through internet (p=0.1). The most visited web pages were, in order of the most to least visited: tuotromedico.com, varicocele.com, aecc.es, wikipedia.com, prostatitis.org, ondasalud.com and mapfrecajasalud.com. The most searched for conditions were: chronic prostatitis (25% of patients affected), testicular cancer (20% of patients), varicocele (18.7%), Peyronie's disease or congenital penile curvature (18.1%) and stenosis of the pyeloureteral junction (16.6%). CONCLUSIONS: --The exploitation of the internet as an information tool on the part of patients is very low, due to the characteristics inherent to our population, such as the low level of studies. --Urological web pages should dedicate an extensive part to the most common conditions in the younger population groups, such as varicocele or prostatitis. However, it is logical to expect that these epidemiological patterns will modify with time. --The use of internet and computers in general should be promoted among the different population groups in the health area under study.

[Therapeutic options for patients with localized prostatic carcinoma: our experience with 454 patients]. / Alternativas terapéuticas en el cáncer de próstata localizado. Experiencia sobre 454 pacientes.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of different therapeutic options on progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and specific survival (SS) in a cohort of 454 patients with localized prostatic carcinoma, taking into account different prognostic factors, and to compare our results to those reported in the world literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1983 and 2000 we have diagnosed 706 new cases of prostatic carcinoma and 454 were clinically localized tumors. The different therapeutic options employed in our series of patients have been: follow-up (FU) (103 patients); radical prostatectomy (RP) (108 patients); radiotherapy without hormonal blockade (RT) (148 patients); and hormonal blockade (HB) (95 patients). We have determined the PFS, the OS and the SS for each group of patients and compared them in patients with different prognostic factors at the time of diagnosis, including age, PSA levels, Gleason's grading and TNM staging. We have also analysed the influence of the tumor progression on the OS. The mean follow-up time has been 5.6 years (range: 0.1-19.2; median: 5.2). RESULTS: For PFS: the disease progressed in 145 patients (32%) and the PFS at 5 and 10 years has been 77% and 67% for FU; 61% and 50% for RP; 63% and 25% for RT; and 73% and 67% for HB, respectively. The differences between RT and RP were not statistically significant. For the subgroup of patients with PSA levels <10 and Gleason <8 the differences between FU, RP and RT did not reach statistical significance. For OS: 126 patients of our series died (28%) and the OS at 5 and 10 years has been 80% and 61% for FU; 90% and 76% for RP; 85% and 67% for RT; and 64% and 32% for HB, respectively. We have found no significant differences between FU, RP and RT. For SS: 31 patients of our series died of disease (6.8%). The SS at 5 and 10 years has been 100% and 94% for FU; 98% and 98% for RP; 97% and 88% for RT; and 83% and 77% for HB, respectively. We have found no significant differences in the OS between patients with disease progression and without disease progression treated with FU, RP and RT. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of PSA levels has allowed diagnosis of prostatic carcinomas in early stages of disease; however, our results and those reported in the literature cannot define which is the best therapeutic option in these patients. We should offer the patients individualized information both in the phase of early diagnosis and of therapeutic decisions.

[Treatment approach for vesicogenital fistula. Retrospective analysis of our data]. / Planteamiento terapéutico de las fístulas vesicogenitales. Análisis retrospectivo de nuestra serie.

The vesicogenital fistula are abnormal communications between female genitalia and urinary bladder. We recorded all the vesicogenital fistula diagnosed since 1986, analyzing aetiology, treatment applied, complications and results. Total number of fistula have been 20 (18 vesicovaginal and 2 vesicouterine). The distribution in vesicovaginal fistula was iatrogenic in 15 cases (83%) and tumoral in 3 cases (17%). Vesicouterine fistula were due to cesarean. The initial treatment of the iatrogenic fistula was conservative using foley catheter. Twenty percent of the patients were cured with this treatment (3 cases). Surgical repair was necessary for the other patients, using different surgical approach according to the type of the fistula, intensity and patient age. It was successful in 91% of the patients. The results shows that simple surgical approach generate less morbidity and the early intervention is not less efficient.

[Proliferative radiation retinopathy]. / Retinopatía proliferativa por radiación.

CASE REPORT: A thirty year-old-woman that had received radiotherapy three years before for a frontal glyoma consulted because of diminished visual acuity in her left eye. Examination showed a proliferative radiation retinopathy in the left eye and non-proliferative radiation retinopathy in the right eye that was confirmed by fluorescein angiography. The patient was treated with panretinal photocoagulation, and her visual acuity remained stable. DISCUSSION: Patients receiving cranial or neck radiotherapy should be followed for long periods of time because radiation retinopathy may appear many years after the treatment. Follow-up may permit early diagnosis of ischemic radiation retinopathy that can benefit from laser photocoagulation.

[Clinical course and mid- and long-term prognosis of superficial bladder tumors]. / Evolución y pronóstico a medio y largo plazo de los tumores vesicales superficiales.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcome of 551 patients with superficial transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder. To determine prognostic factors in these patients by means of the log-rank analysis of the Kaplan-Meier curves and a multivariate analysis with Cox regression model for the disease free survival (DFS), time to progression to infiltrating lesions (TTP) and overall survival (OS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1983 and 1998 we have seen 551 patients with superficial transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder in our Hospital. Fifteen patients included in this series had been diagnosed in other hospitals before 1983. The clinical records were actualized between 1998 and 2000 and only 21 patients were lost to follow-up (3.8%). The mean follow-up time was 6.2 years (median time: 5.3). One hundred and eleven patients (20%) died with a mean of 4.5 years (median time 3.4). Four hundred and forty patients were still alive on completion of the study with a mean follow-up time of 6.6 years (range 2-24 years; median 5.7). RESULTS: Four hundred and fifty-nine patients were men (83%) with a mean age of 64 years and 92 were women (17%) with a mean age of 70 years. In 347 patients there was only one tumour (63%). The tumours were stage Ta in 79 cases (14%). T1 in 431 (78%) and Tis in 41 (7%). The histological grade was G1 in 406 cases (74%), G2 in 96 (17%) and G3 in 33 (6%). There were recurrences in 253 patients (46%) with a mean time of 2.2 years. The DFS was 55% at 5 years, 44% at 10 years and 38% at 15 years. The multivariate analysis has shown a negative prognostic influence on DFS of the presence of multiple tumours (RR 1.4 CI 1.19-1.69), increasing age (analysed as a continuous variable) and the sex (being worse for females; RR 1.2 CI 0.98-1.52). In 40 patients (7.3%) the tumour became infiltrative in a mean of 3.3 years. The TTP was 93% at 5 years, 91% at 10 years and 90% at 15 years. The negative prognosticators in the multivariate analysis were G3 tumour (RR: 5.1 CI 2.7-9.6), the group of tumours Ta-T1G3 or multiple T1G2 or Tis (RR 4.6 CI 2.6-7.9) and the age > 70 years (RR 2.14 CI 1.2-3.7). Thirty-one patients (5.6%) died of the tumour in a mean time of 4.6 years. The OS was 95% at 5 years, 93% at 10 years and 91% at 15 years. Significant prognosticators in the multivariate analysis for OS were the group of risk tumours Ta-T1G3 and multiple Tis or T1G2 (RR 5 CI 2.7-9) and age > 70 years (RR 4.56 CI 2.2-8.8). CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence rate is very high in all the patients, but the risk is highest when the tumours are multiple. The risk of progression is low, but still exits even in patients with tumours of low malignant potential. The highest risk is associated with Ta-T1G3 of Tis or multiple T1G2.

[Progression and prognosis of in situ carcinoma of the bladder treated with BCG]. / Evolución y pronóstico del carcinoma in situ vesical tratado con BCG.

OBJECTIVES: In situ carcinoma (isT) of the bladder is a poor prognostic tumour with a natural progressive evolution. Treatment with BCG achieves a significant improvement in survival. This paper analyses our experience in the management of isT patients with endovesical BCG. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1983 and 1997 the Urology Unit in the Móstoles Hospital saw 636 patients with transitional carcinoma of the bladder. Of these, 498 (78%) were surface tumours, and 138 (22%) were infiltrant. isT: 80 patients (13%), 14 of which were primary (17%), 37 associated to a surface tumour (46%), and 29 to infiltrant tumours (36%). All surface tumours: isT was present in 51 patients (10%) 44 of which were managed with 2 courses of BCG Connaught (81 mg), for 6 weeks each followed by vesical reassessment. Quarterly follow-up was conducted during a 2-year period. Patients not managed with BCG were treated with radical cystectomy. An analysis was made of patients without complete response to BCG, as well as actuarial analysis of disease-free survival (DFS), survival until progression (SUP) and specific survival (SS). All possible prognostic factors are analyzed: sex, focal isT (a single focus) or diffuse isT (more than one focus). Primary or secondary isT and association to G1, G2 or G3 tumours. RESULTS: In all 44 patients managed with BCG: males 37 (84%), females 7 (16%), primary 14 (32%), focal 22 (50%), diffuse 22 (50%). Six patients died (5 because of the tumour). Mean follow-up of living patients: 3.7 years (0.5-7.5 years). After the 2 BCG courses, 36 (82%) showed complete response. Thirteen patients (30%) had no complete response during follow-up, and 11 (85%) continued to progression. In total 7 patients underwent cystectomy. Of 5 patients directly cystectomized due to persistence of isT or T1G3 tumour at monitoring after BCG, 2 (40%) had infiltrant tumour and one (20%) nodular metastasis. Three patients with persistent isT or T1G3 after BCG were not initially cystectomized: two that were treated with other endovesical therapies because of their age progressed, and the third one underwent a third BCG course and required cystectomy due to tumour persistency. 5-year DFS: 56%, being diffuse isT vs. focal isT (p = 0.0206) was an unfavourable prognostic factor. 5-year SUP: 63%, no significant prognostic factor. 5-year SS: 79%, being a female was an unfavourable prognostic factor (p = 0.0201). CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results and the analysis of the literature we recommend treatment with 2 BCG courses of all isTs of the bladder that present some of the following factors: Diffuse cancer associated to T1G3, involvement of prostatic urethra or overexpression of p53 over 20%. In the rest of vesical tumours, one BCG course followed by a second one if lack of response to the first. After failure of both BCG courses, cystectomy must be performed in both groups.

[Fibroepithelial polyps of the upper urinary tract: their diagnostic evaluation and treatment in pediatrics]. / Polipos fibroepiteliales del tracto urinario superior: evaluación diagnóstica y tratamiento en pediatría.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the diagnostic criteria, analyze the histological patterns of benign and malignant ureteral and renal pelvic polyps in pediatric patients and discuss the best treatment option based on the final diagnosis. METHODS/RESULTS: The literature is reviewed with special reference to the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of fibroepithelial polyps of the upper urinary tract in pediatric patients. An additional case with benign cytological and radiological findings is described. The patient underwent partial pyeloureteral resection. Histological analysis of the surgical specimen confirmed a fibroepithelial polyp. CONCLUSIONS: We emphasize the importance of adequate preoperative evaluation, precise identification of the base of the lesion for a correct choice of the surgical approach, and the advantages of complete segmental resection and reanastomosis over simple excision of the polyp.