A novel upper tract ureteroscopic biopsy technique: the "form tackle"

ABSTRACT Introduction and Objective: Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) represents 5% of all urothelial malignancies (1-3). Accurate pathologic diagnosis is key and may direct treatment decisions. Current ureteroscopic biopsy techniques include cold-cup, backloaded cold-cup and stone basket (4-6). The study objective was to compare a standard cold-cup biopsy technique to a novel cold-cup biopsy technique and evaluate histopathologic results. Materials and Methods: We developed a novel UTUC biopsy technique termed the "form tackle" biopsy. Ureteroscope is passed into ureter/renal collecting system. Cold-cup forceps are opened and pressed into the lesion base (to engage the urothelial wall/submucosal tissue) then closed. Ureteroscope/forceps are advanced forward 3-10mm and then extracted from the patient. We compared standard versus novel upper tract biopsy techniques in a series of patients with lesions ≥1cm. In each procedure, two standard and two novel biopsies were obtained from the same lesion. The primary study aim was diagnosis of malignancy. IRB approved: 21-006907. Results: Fourteen procedures performed on 12 patients between June 2020 and March 2021. Twenty-eight specimens sent (14 standard, 14 novel) (Two biopsies per specimen). Ten procedures with concordant pathology. In 4 procedures the novel biopsy technique resulted in a diagnosis of UTUC (2 high-grade, 2 low-grade) in the setting of a benign standard biopsy. Significant difference in pathologic diagnoses was detected between standard and novel upper tract biopsy techniques (p=0.008). Conclusions: The "form tackle" upper tract ureteroscopic biopsy technique provides higher tissue yield which may increase diagnostic accuracy. Further study on additional patients required. Early results are encouraging.

Tabaquismo y tumores mayores de 2 centímetros son predictores de mortalidad en pacientes sometidos a nefro-ureterectomías por carcinoma de urotelio alto / Prognostic factors in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma undergoing nephro-ureterectomy

BACKGROUND: Upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) represents 5-10% of urothelial carcinomas. It is managed with nephroureterectomy (NUR); however, kidney-sparing techniques are growingly used. AIM: To report the results of a 20-year series of NUR conducted in an academic center. Patients and Methods: Review of clinical and pathological characteristics of patients undergoing NUR between 1999 and 2020. Patients were followed for 63 months. Global survival curves (OS) and mortality predictors were established through Cox regression. RESULTS: We included 90 patients with a median age of 68 years undergoing NUR, of whom 68 (75%) had a pelvic tumor and 22 (25%) had a proximal ureteral tumor. A laparoscopic NUR was performed in 60 patients (66%). Thirty-three patients (37%) had tumors confined to the urothelium (pTa), penetrating the lamina propria (pT1) or carcinoma in situ (CIS), 10 patients (11%) had a tumor spreading to the muscle layer (pT2) and 47 (52%) had a tumor spreading to nearby organs (pT3 / T4). Average tumor size was 3.69 cm, nodal disease (pN) was present 12 patients (13%). Twelve patients (13%) received adjuvant chemotherapy. A higher mortality was observed among smokers (Hazard ratio (HR) 8.79, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.5-49.0, p = 0.01), patients with tumors classfied as pT≥ 2 (HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.01-1.0, p = 0.04) and those with tumors larger than 2 cm (HR 14.79, CI 95% 1.5-272, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking patients, those with invasive tumors (T2-T4) and greater than 2 cm have higher mortality. Therefore, they should not be candidates for conservative management.

Diagnostic Ureteroscopy for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma is Independently Associated with Intravesical Recurrence after Radical Nephroureterectomy

ABSTRACT Purpose: To determine the effect of diagnostic ureteroscopy on intravesical recurrence in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 664 patients who were treated with RNU for UTUC from June 2000 to December 2011, excluding those who had concomitant/prior bladder tumors. Of the 664 patients, 81 underwent diagnostic ureteroscopy (URS). We analyzed the impact of diagnostic ureteroscopy on intravesical recurrence (IVR) using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the independent risk factors. Results: The median follow-up time was 48 months (interquartile range (IQR): 31-77 months). Patients who underwent ureteroscopy were more likely to have a small (p<0.01), early-staged (p=0.019), multifocality (p=0.035) and ureteral tumor (p<0.001). IVR occurred in 223 patients during follow-up within a median of 17 months (IQR: 7-33). Patients without preoperative ureteroscopy have a statistically significant better 2-year (79.3%±0.02 versus 71.4%±0.02, p<0.001) and 5-year intravesical recurrence-free survival rates (64.9%±0.05 versus 44.3%±0.06, p<0.001) than patients who underwent ureteroscopy. In multivariate analysis, the diagnostic ureteroscopy (p=0.006), multiple tumors (p=0.001), tumor size <3cm (p=0.008), low-grade (p=0.022) and pN0 stage tumor (p=0.045) were independent predictors of IVR. Conclusions: Diagnostic ureteroscopy is independently associated with intravesical recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced upper tract urothelial carcinoma: updated results of the Seoul National university hospital experience

Objectives: The objective of this study was to update the long-term outcome in the treatment of locally advanced upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) regarding the role of adjuvant chemotherapy. Materials and methods: Clinical data from 138 patients who underwent RNU for locally advanced UTUC (pT3/4 or pN+) were analyzed. Results: The adjuvant chemotherapy group comprised 66 patients, and other 72 patients did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy was the most common regimen, depending on the patient's eligibility and renal function. The median follow-up period was 48.7 months (interquartile range: 29.2-96.9 months). The 3-and 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were 76.0% and 69.9% for the non-adjuvant chemotherapy group versus 74.6% and 54.5% for the adjuvant chemotherapy group (p=0.301, log-rank test). Overall survival (OS) rates for the same time period were 70.1% and 62.9% for the non-adjuvant chemotherapy group versus 73.8% and 53.2% for the adjuvant chemotherapy group (p=0.931, log-rank test). On multivariate analysis, adjuvant chemotherapy could not predict DSS and OS after surgery. When patients who received cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy (n=59) were compared to those who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy, similar results were found. Conclusions: There does not appear to be a significant DSS or OS benefit associated with adjuvant chemotherapy. Prospective randomized clinical trials are necessary to verify the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy on locally advanced UTUC.

Prognostic impact of preoperative statin use after radical nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma

PURPOSE: The objective was to investigate the impact of statin use on prognosis after radical nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records identified 277 patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy for primary UTUC at Asan Medical Center between January 2006 and December 2011. Information on preoperative statin use was obtained from patient charts in an electronic database. We assessed the impact of statin use on recurrence-free survival (RFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Of these 277 patients, 62 (22.4%) were taking statin medications. Compared to the statin nonusers, the statin users were older, had a higher body mass index, and had higher rates of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The 5-year RFS rates of statin users and nonusers were 78.5% and 72.5%, respectively (p=0.528); the 5-year CSS rates were 85.6% and 77.7%, respectively (p=0.516); and the 5-year OS rates were 74.5% and 71.4%, respectively (p=0.945). In the multivariate analysis, statin use was not an independent prognostic factor for RFS (hazard ratio, 0.47; p=0.056), CSS (hazard ratio, 0.46; p=0.093), or OS (hazard ratio, 0.59; p=0.144) in patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy for UTUC. CONCLUSIONS: Statin use was not associated with improved RFS, CSS, or OS in the sample population of patients with UTUC.

Micro RNA expression and prognosis in low-grade non-invasive urothelial carcinoma

Purpose To analyze a possible correlation between a miRNA expression profile and important prognostic factors for pTa urothelial carcinomas (UC), including tumor size, multiplicity and episodes of recurrence. Materials and Methods Thirty low-grade non-invasive pTa bladder UC from patients submitted to transurethral resection were studied, in a mean follow-up of 17.7 months. As controls, we used normal bladder tissue from five patients submitted to retropubic prostatectomy to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. Extraction, cDNA and amplification were performed for 14 miRNAs (miR-100, -10a, -21, -205, -let7c, -143, -145, -221, -223, -15a, -16, -199a and -452) using specific kits, and RNU-43 and -48 were used as endogenous controls. Statistical tests were used to compare tumor size, multiplicity and episodes of recurrence with miRNAs expression profiles. Results There was a marginal correlation between multiplicity and miR-let7c over-expression. For all others miRNA no correlation between their expression and prognostic factors was found. Conclusion We did not find differences for miRNAs expression profiles associated with prognostic factors in tumor group studied. The majority of miRNAs are down-regulated, except miR-10a, over-expressed in most of cases, seeming to have increased levels in tumor with more unfavorable prognostic factors. More studies are needed in order to find a miRNA profile able to provide prognosis in pTa UC to be used in clinical practice. .

The merits of cytology in the workup for upper tract urothelial carcinoma - a contemporary review of a perplexing issue

Introduction The importance of upper tract cytology for evaluating tumors is unclear. We correlated upper tract cytology with histologic findings in patients who underwent nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) at a single tertiary care referral center. Materials and Methods 137 patients underwent nephroureterectomy between 2004 and 2012. 18 patients were excluded (benign tumors, atrophic kidneys with the remaining 119 patients serving as our study population). Upper tract cytology from the renal pelvis and/or ureter were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed with final pathology data in the remaining patients with UTUC. Results 57% (68/119) had preoperative upper tract cytology collected. 73% (50/68) patients had abnormal cytology (positive, suspicious) with a sensitivity of 74% (which increased to 90% if atypical included), specificity of 50% and a positive predictive value of 98%. High grade tumors were more common than expected (77% high grade vs. 20% low grade). Abnormal cytology did not predict T stage or tumor grade. Interestingly, positive upper tract cytology was found in all of the UTUC CIS specimen. Conclusions Upper tract cytology has been utilized to support the diagnosis of upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Our data demonstrates that abnormal cytology correlates well with the presence of disease but does not predict staging or grading in these respective patients. .

Laparoendoscopic single-site nephroureterectomy for morbid obese patients

Since the first laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery report in urology in 2007 (1) (Rane A e Cadeddu JA), the few reports of LESS extraperitoneal access in the literature were mainly described for less complex cases. The aim of this video is to demonstrate the feasibility of LESS extraperitoneal access in a morbid obese patient presenting a malignant tumor in the renal pelvis. The patient is positioned in 90-degree lateral decubitus. An incision is made below the abdominal skin crease on the left side of the patient and the anterior rectus fascia is vertically incised with manual dissection of the extra/retroperitoneal space. We use an Alexis® retractor to retract the skin maximizing the incision orifice. Three trocars (12, 10 and 5 mm) are inserted through a sigle-port. The pedicle was controlled “en bloc” with a vascular stapler and the bladder cuff treated by the conventional open approach through the same incision. Operative time was 126 minutes with minimal blood loss. The pathology reported high grade papillary urothelial carcinoma in the pelvis (pT3N0M0) and in the ureter (pTa). LESS extraperitoneal nephroureterectomy is feasible and safe, even in more complex cases. It is a good alternative for morbid obese patients and for patients with synchronous distal ureteral tumors for whom an open approach to the bladder cuff is proposed to avoid incisions in two compartments of the abdominal wall.

Delayed Ureterectomy after Incomplete Nephroureterectomy for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: Pathologic Findings and Outcomes

Objectives To evaluate the pathologic findings and outcomes after distal ureterectomy for a retained ureteral segment following incomplete nephroureterectomy for urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis or ureter. Materials and Methods After IRB approval, an institutional database identified patients who underwent distal ureterectomy for a retained ureteral segment after assumed complete nephroureterectomy for urothelial carcinoma of the upper ureter or renal pelvis. Clinical and pathologic variables were analyzed. Results From January 1993 to July 2007, 12 patients were identified with median age at the time of ureterectomy of 60.5 years (41-85 years). Initial approach to surgery was open in 9 patients and laparoscopic in 3 patients. The median time from nephroureterectomy to distal ureterectomy was 23.5 months (range 2-66). At the time of initial surgery, pathologic stage was Ta, T1, T2, and T3 in 3,4,1, and 4 patients respectively. Initial pathology was urothelial carcinoma; grade 2 in 6 patients and grade 3 in six patients. Pathology from the subsequent surgery demonstrated urothelial carcinoma in the retained ureteral segment in 8 patients, dysplasia or atypia in 3 patients, and 1 patient with chronic inflammation. Local recurrence in 2 patients was present in a segment of ureter discontinuous with the bladder after laparoscopic nephroureterectomy. Three patients (25%), all with initial grade 3 renal pelvis lesions, developed metastatic disease. Conclusions Tumor recurrence in a retained ureteral segment after incomplete nephroureterectomy is a significant problem and may contribute to intravesical recurrence or metastatic disease. Complete, en bloc resection is imperative to minimize these risks. .

Immune expression of E-cadherin and α, β and γ-Catenin adhesion molecules and prognosis for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas

INTRODUCTION: Cell adhesion molecules (CAM) are required for maintaining a normal epithelial phenotype, and abnormalities in CAM expression have been related to cancer progression, including bladder urothelial carcinomas. There is only one study that correlates E-cadherin and α-, β- and γ-catenin expression with prognosis of upper tract urothelial carcinomas. Our aim is to study the pattern of immune expression of these CAMs in urothelial carcinomas from the renal pelvis and ureter in patients who have been treated surgically. Our goal is to correlate these expression levels and characteristics with well-known prognostic parameters for disease-free survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated specimens from 20 patients with urothelial carcinomas of the renal pelvis and ureter who were treated with nephroureterectomy or ureterectomy between June 1997 and January 2007. CAM expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in a tissue microarray and correlated with histopathological characteristics and patient outcomes after a mean follow-up of 55 months. RESULTS: We observed a relationship between E-cadherin expression and disease recurrence. Disease recurrence occurred in 87.5% of patients with strong E-cadherin expression. Only 50.0% of patients with moderate expression and 0% of patients with weak or no expression of E-cadherin had disease recurrence (p = 0.014). There was also a difference in disease-free survival. Patients with strong E-cadherin expression had a mean disease-free survival rate of 49.1 months, compared to 83.9 months for patients with moderate expression (p = 0.011). Additionally, an absence of α-catenin expression was associated with tumors that were larger than 3 cm (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated for the first time that immune expression of E-cadherin is related to tumor recurrence and disease-free survival rates, and the absence of α-catenin expression is related to tumor size in upper tract urothelial carcinomas.

Ureteric nephrogenic adenoma: A report of two cases.

Nephrogenic adenoma is a rare, benign, metaplastic lesion predominantly seen in urinary bladder, which occurs even more rarely in the ureters. We report two such cases, arising in the ureter. Both patients were young adult males. Histology of both cases was similar, showing tubules lined by columnar cells with hobnailing of nuclei. Immunohistochemically, both cases resembled their counterparts in urinary bladder. These lesions are important to recognize, since they can easily be confused with several malignancies.

Radical nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy in patients over 80 years old

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to discover if elderly patients exhibit comparable outcomes and survival benefits to those achieved in younger patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed 35 patients over 80 years old treated by radical nephrectomy or nephroureterectomy for malignant and inflammatory conditions within the previous 4 years. A multivariate analysis regarding survival and recovery was conducted and included various preoperative parameters. The subjective opinion of patients or patient's relatives (in cases where the patient had past away) was estimated by answering the following questions: (a) are you satisfied with your decision to undergo the operation? (b) would you undergo it once more if needed? (c) would you advise it to a patient your age? RESULTS: The median age was 83.5 years. Radical nephrectomy with a flank approach was performed in 65.7 percent of cases and nephroureterectomy with a transabdominal approach in 34.3 percent of cases. The median recovery was 13 weeks. During a median follow-up of 31 months (range 12 to 53), 80 percent of patients were disease free. The remaining 20 percent passed away demonstrating a median survival of 25 months (range 13-38). Eighty-eight percent of patients were satisfied with their decision to undergo the operation, 91.4 percent would undergo it once more if needed and 91.4 percent would advise it to a patient their age. CONCLUSIONS: Radical nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy are safe and effective in well-selected patients over 80 years old. Elderly patients exhibit comparable preoperative outcomes and survival benefits to those achieved in younger patients. Various preoperative clinical variables that effect the survival of patients but not their recovery could be identified.

Primary adenocarcinoma of ureter mimicking pyelonephritis

Tumors of the ureter are rare. We present a case of primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the ureter diagnosed as chronic pyelonephritis preoperatively. This tumor is postulated to arise from metaplastic glandular mucosa in response to chronic irritation of the urothelium

Multiple, Bilateral Fibroepithelial Polyps Causing Acute Renal Failure in a Gastric Cancer Patient

We report a case of primary fibroepithelial polyps (FEPs) in the middle of both ureters in a patient with advanced gastric cancer and acute renal failure. Ureteral FEPs are rare benign lesions, and multiple, bilateral lesions are extremely rare. To our knowledge, this report is the seventh case of bilateral FEPs in the literature. Our case has clinical implications because FEPs should be considered as a cause of ureteral obstruction inducing acute renal failure in advanced gastric cancer.

Ureteral fibroepithelial polyps in a pregnant woman: case report / Pólipos fibroepitelial ureteral em mulher grávida: relato de caso

CONTEXT: Ureteral fibroepithelial polyps are rare benign nonepithelial tumors, and less than 200 cases have been reported in the literature. We report on a pregnant patient with ureteral fibroepithelial polyps that were successfully treated with laparotomy. CASE REPORT: A 23-year-old pregnant woman presented with a three-month history of intermittent lumbar pain of low intensity. Abdominal ultrasonography showed that she was 13 weeks pregnant and found severe left-side ureterohydronephrosis and a heterogeneous solid mass measuring 11 x 8 x 7 centimeters in the middle portion of the ureteral topography. The investigation was complemented with magnetic resonance imaging, which confirmed the previous findings. Nephroureterectomy was performed without complications. The specimen revealed three solid tumors in the ureter, of which the largest was around eight centimeters in length. The anatomopathological report confirmed that they were fibroepithelial tumors without malignant components.

CONTEXTO: Pólipos fibroepiteliais de ureter são tumores não-epiteliais benignos raros, e menos de 200 casos foram relatados na literatura. Nós reportamos o caso de uma mulher grávida com pólipos fibroelitelial ureteral que foram tratados com sucesso por laparotomia. RELATO DE CASO: Mulher de 23 anos de idade, grávida, apresentava história de dor lombar intermitente de baixa intensidade há três meses. Ultra-sonografia abdominal revelou gravidez de 13 semanas, ureterohidronefrose grave à esquerda e massa sólida heterogênea medindo 11 x 8 x 7 cm na porção média da topografia ureteral. A investigação foi complementada com ressonância magnética, que confirmou os achados. Foi realizada nefroureterectomia sem complicações. A peça revelou três tumores sólidos em ureter, o maior apresentando aproximadamente oito centímetros longitudinalmente. O relatório anatomopatológico confirmou tumor fibroepitelial sem componentes de malignidade.

Epidemiología del cáncer de pelvis renal en pacientes del Hospital Nacional Essalud "Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen" Lima - Perú: estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo 1999-2005 / Epidemiology of the renal pelvis cancer in patients of the Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen General Hospital Lima - Perú: retrospective and descriptive study 1999-2005

El cáncer de vía urinaria alta (pelvis renal y/o uréter) es una neoplasia rara. Generalmente es del tipo células de transición. El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer los aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos y de manejo de los pacientes institucionales con esta patología que han consultado en el Hospital Nacional “Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen”en Lima - Perú. Se revisaron retrospectivamente los ingresos al Servicio de Urología entre los años 1999 al 2005. Se recuperaron 26 ingresos con este diagnóstico. Se analizan sexo, edad, antecedentes clínicos, síntomas, exámenes de laboratorio, tipo histológico, tratamientos, complicaciones y seguimiento. Las edades fluctuaron entre los 47 y 82 años (promedio de 64,8 años). El 53,8 por ciento fueron mujeres. El tabaquismo lamentablemente no se consigna en los ingresos. La hematuria fue el principal síntoma. El 100 por ciento presentaba hematuria en el examen de orina. El 19,2 por ciento estaban con metástasis al momento del diagnóstico. Casi todos los pacientes tuvieron manejo quirúrgico clásico de forma convencional o laparoscópica. El 100 por ciento tenían carcinoma de células transicionales. Las complicaciones perioperatorias fueron mínimas. No se registra mortalidad operatoria. Esta patología es un cáncer poco frecuente, que debe sospecharse ante toda hematuria, que es el principal motivo de consulta. Idealmente el diagnóstico debe ser precoz. Su manejo debe ser esencialmente quirúrgico.

Introduction: Upper urinary tract tumors are infrequent. However when present, they are usually related to transitional cell carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to analyze epidemiologic, clinic and therapeutic aspects of this disease in the Hospital Nacional “Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen” in Lima - Perú. Material and Methods: A Retrospective review of all our admissions between 1999 and 2005 was performed. A total of 26 patients were admitted with this diagnosis. Gender, age, clinical findings, pathology, treatment and follow-up are analyzed.Results: Mean age was 64,8 years (47-82 years), 53,8 percent were women. Tobacco consumption did not appear in the admission data. The chief complaint was hematuria and 100 percent had microscopic hematuria in the lab tests. Almost all the patients underwent surgery (mainly nephroureterectomy with partial cistectomy). All cases had transitional cell cancer. There were minimal complications and no surgical mortality. Conclusions: Carcinoma of the upper urinary tract is infrequent, must be suspected in the event of hematuria. Ideally diagnosis should be preoperative with histological confirmation. Most of the cases are transitional cell cancer, and management must be essentially surgical.

Analysis of the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinomas who are treated surgically and to analyze the occurrence of bladder tumors as well as the development of metastases outside the urinary tract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised a retrospective analysis of 25 patients treated between February 1994 and August 2006. The variables analyzed were: patient age, gender, and clinical presentation; diagnostic methods; pathologic characteristics at the primary site of the tumor (pelvis or ureter); tumor stage and grade; and presence of carcinoma in situ, microvascular invasion and squamous differentiation. The Kaplan-Meier method and the Log-Rank test were used for statistical analysis of bladder recurrence-free survival. RESULTS: Eighty-four percent of patients were male, and macroscopic hematuria was the most common clinical presentation. The majority of cases (56 percent) were infiltrative (T2-T3) and high-grade (76 percent) tumors. Synchronous or metachronous bladder tumors were found in 72 percent of cases. Five (20 percent) patients had a history of bladder tumor before the diagnosis of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinomas. The mean follow-up period was 36 months (range: 1.5 to 156). During the follow-up period, eleven (44 percent) patients developed bladder tumors. After five years, the probability of being free of bladder tumor recurrence was 40 percent. No pathological variable was predictive for bladder tumor recurrence. Four patients presented disease recurrence outside the urinary tract. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of metachronous bladder tumors is more often observed after the diagnosis of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinomas. All of these patients should undergo rigorous follow-up during the postoperative period. Only patients with infiltrative and high-grade tumors developed metastases outside the urinary tract.

Cutaneous metastases from squamous cell carcinoma of the ureter

To present an extremely rare case of squamous cell carcinoma of the ureter with cutaneous metastases. A case is presented involving a 67-year-old woman presenting with a clinical history of squamous cell carcinoma of the ureter and who had undergone a nephro-ureterectomy with a bladder cuff excision in May 2004. The pathologic report showed squamous differentiation, as well as keratin pearl formation. A large regional cutaneous lesion on the chest wall was found in January 2006, and a biopsy showed metastatic malignant urothelial tumors consisting of squamous cell carcinomas. This report describes a case of cutaneous metastasis from a squamous cell carcinoma of the ureter that is extremely rare with a generally dismal prognosis

Carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter

OBJECTIVE: To assess the occurrence of upper urinary tract urothelial tumors (UUTT) in Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a clinical and histopathologic study of 33 patients who were diagnosed with a malignant neoplasm in the renal pelvis or ureter in the period of 1994 to 2004, in a single institution. RESULTS: Among the patients with upper urinary tract carcinoma, 70 percent were males and 30 percent females, with mean age of 65 ± 16 years (ranging from 31 to 91 years). Nineteen patients presented renal pelvis tumor (58 percent), 9 ureteral tumor (27 percent) and 5 synchronic pelvic and ureteral tumors (15 percent). Renal pelvis tumors represented 2.8 percent of all the urothelial neoplasms, and 11.4 percent of all renal neoplasms treated in the same period. Ureteral tumors represented 1.6 percent of all the urothelial malignancies surgically managed in these 11 years. Tobacco smoking was the most common risk factor, and analgesic abuse was not reported by those patients. Most carcinomas were high-grade and muscle-invasive. Mean time to diagnosis was 7 months, being hematuria the most common symptom. CONCLUSIONS: A high association was also found between UUTT and bladder urothelial carcinoma. UUTT were mostly seen in men in their seventies and related to a high overall and cancer-related mortality rate. The overall disease-specific survival was 40 percent, much lower than found in most of the reported series.

Hand-Assisted Retroperitoneoscopic Nephroureterectomy without Hand-assisted Device

Various laparoscopic nephroureterectomy techniques for urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract have been developed to minimize postoperative discomfort and the necessity for a lengthy convalescence. We performed hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy without hand-assisted device in 3 male patients with urothelial carcinoma of the distal ureter. Average operative time and estimated blood loss were 251 min (range 235 to 280) and 250 mL (range 200 to 300), respectively. Complication did not occur and conversion to open surgery was not necessary in all cases. Postoperative analgesic requirements were moderate and the time to regular diet intake averaged 3 days (range 2 to 4). None of the patients had a positive margin on the final pathologic specimen. At the average follow-up of 8.1 months, no regional recurrence, port-site metastasis, bladder recurrence, or distant metastasis were noted in any patient. We described our initial experience with the described technique, which obviates the need for midprocedural patient repositioning.