Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy for patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) who underwent kidney-sparing surgery (KSS): a single-center study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy for patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) who underwent kidney-sparing surgery (KSS). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 31 patients with primary UTUC who underwent kidney-sparing surgery (KSS) and who were treated with adjuvant radiotherapy at our center between October 1998 and May 2017. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 23.0. The primary endpoints of this study included overall survival (OS) and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS); the secondary endpoints were disease-free survival (DFS) and treatment-related toxicity. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 58.4 months (range, 12.7-185.3 months), and the median local recurrence time was 59.0 months (range, 7.0-185 months). All of the patients completed radiotherapy on schedule, and no grade 3-4 late-stage reaction was observed. The estimated 5-year and 10-year OS, DFS and LRFS rates of the patients were 64.0%, 61.1%, 69.6% and 48.0%, 40.9%, 64.6%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that age (χ2 = 4.224, P = 0.040), R0 resection (χ2 = 3.949, P = 0.047), and early stage (I + II) (χ2 = 6.515, P = 0.011) were associated with good OS; DFS benefit in early stage patients (χ2 = 6.151, P = 0.013) and age<70 years old (χ2 = 5.091, P = 0.024). Patients with distal ureteral segments had better LRFS than patients with proximal ureteral cancer (χ2 = 5.248, P = 0.022). However, multivariate analysis showed that age was the only factor of OS (χ2 = 4.099, P = 0.043). CONCLUSION: Adjuvant radiotherapy is safe and tolerated, and LRFS was superior in middle and distal ureteral cancer than in proximal ureteral cancer.

Adjuvant Treatments for Advanced Stage, Non-metastatic Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Multicenter Study.

PURPOSE: We assessed the efficacy of adjuvant treatments in patients with peripelvic/periureteral fat-infiltrating (pT3b), nonmetastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) treated with radical nephroureterectomy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The multicenter data of 222 patients with pT3bN0-x disease treated with radical nephroureterectomy were analyzed. The effects of adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy on local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were evaluated. RESULTS: Adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy were given to 39 (17.6%) and 74 patients (33.3%), respectively. Seventeen patients (7.7%) received concomitant adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The median follow-up duration was 34.4 months. After adjusting for age, sex, tumor location, multifocality, tumor grade, presence of lymphovascular invasion, surgical margin, execution of node dissection, and other types of concomitant adjuvant treatment (radiation therapy or chemotherapy) through propensity-scored matching, adjuvant radiation therapy significantly reduced the local recurrence (5-year LRFS, 83.9 vs 54.2%; P = .001), distant metastasis (5-year DMFS, 72.1 vs 48.1%; P = .032), and cancer-specific death (5-year CSS, 76.4% vs 55.5%; P = .038) in pT3b UTUC. However, in the same condition, adjuvant chemotherapy did not reduce the local recurrence (5-year LRFS, 69.0% vs 66.2%; P = .786), distant metastasis (5-year DMFS, 65.3% vs 61.1%; P = .436), and cancer-specific death (5-year CSS, 67.9% vs. 67.9%; P = .458) in pT3b UTUC. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that adjuvant radiation therapy may be beneficial in patients with T3bN0-x UTUC; however, prospective clinical trials are needed to clarify this issue.

Impact of Tumor Location on Local Recurrence After Nephroureterectomy for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: Implications for Adjuvant Radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of tumor location on local recurrence in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Among UTUC patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy, 192 with renal pelvic tumors and 161 with ureteral tumors were included. Local recurrence was divided into regional lymph node recurrence (rLNR) and surgical bed recurrence (SBR). RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 73 months, local recurrence occurred in 33 patients (9.3%). The postoperative 5-year local recurrence-free survival (80.5% vs. 94.2%; P = .002), rLNR-free survival (89.8% vs. 96.5%; P = .046), and SBR-free survival (88.3% vs. 97.6%; P = .005) were poorer in ureteral tumor than renal pelvic tumor. Ureteral tumor (hazard ratio [HR], 2.552; P = .017), high-grade tumor (HR, 3.064; P = .016), and advanced tumor stage (T3 or greater) (HR, 3.236; P = .002) were associated with local recurrence. Ureteral tumor (HR, 3.516; P = .033) and advanced tumor stage (HR, 2.907; P = .039) were risk factors for SBR. Although tumor location was not associated with rLNR, lymphovascular invasion (HR, 5.451; P < .001) and high-grade tumor (HR, 4.191; P = .012) were related to rLNR. CONCLUSION: Ureteral tumors are associated with local recurrence in the form of SBR. Adjuvant radiotherapy or surgical techniques aimed at reducing the risk of SBR should be considered in patients with ureteral tumors.

Incisión endoscópica del cuello vesical como primer paso en la prostatectomía radical: una ayuda en pacientes previamente operados por hiperplasia benigna de próstata / Endoscopic bladder neck incision as first step in radical prostatectomy: An aid for patients previously treated for Bladder outlet obstruction

OBJETIVO: Algunos de los pacientes a los que indicamos prostatectomía radical (PR) han sido sometidos a cirugía prostática previa por obstrucción cérvico-uretral (OCU). Este hecho dificulta la cirugía oncológica por la dificultad en la disección del cuello vesical y el riesgo de lesionar los meatos ureterales. Presentamos una técnica que consiste en realizar una incisión endoscópica previa en el cuello vesical con el fin de facilitar la prostatectomía radical. MÉTODOS: Doce pacientes con cirugía previa por OCU fueron sometidos a PR entre Agosto del 2008 y Octubre del 2012. La técnica empleada en todos los casos fue la misma, un primer tiempo endoscópico realizándose incisión endoscópica (IE) circunferencial para marcar el cuello vesical y un segundo tiempo laparoscópico/ robótico para completar la PR. Se analizaron resultados oncológicos y funcionales así como las complicaciones. RESULTADOS: La mediana del tiempo quirúrgico (IE+PR) fue de 175 (140-205) minutos, siendo la mediana de tiempo de la cirugía endoscópica 22 (17-31) minutos. No se describió en ningún caso lesiones a nivel de los meatos ureterales ni fue necesario cateterismo ureteral. La tasa de márgenes positivos fue del 8,3%. De las 5 complicaciones descritas, sólo una requirió de tratamiento quirúrgico. La continencia fue del 66,7% al año de la intervención. CONCLUSIONES: La realización de una incisión endoscópica en el cuello vesical, en pacientes con cirugía previa por OCU ha demostrado ser una buena estrategia como primer paso en la PR para conseguir buenos resultados oncológicos y funcionales junto con una baja tasa de complicaciones

OBJECTIVE: Some patients with the indication of radical prostatectomy (RP) have often undergone previous surgical treatment for bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). These previous treatments make oncological surgery more challenging because of the difficulty in the identification of bladder neck and ureteral orifices. We present a new technique that entails previous endoscopic marking of bladder neck in order to make radical prostatectomy easier. METHODS: Twelve men with previous prostatic surgery for BOO underwent a laparoscopic/robotic radical prostatectomy between August 2008 and October 2012. The same technique was performed in all cases, a first circular endoscopic incision (EI) to mark the bladder neck and a second laparoscopic/robotic approach to complete the RP. We analyzed oncological and functional outcomes, as well as complications. RESULTS: Median operative time (EI + RP) was 175 minutes (140-205), being surgical time for endoscopic approach 20 minutes (17-31). No ureteral lesions were described and no ureteral stents were required. Positive margin rate was 8.3%. Only 1 of 5 complications observed needed surgery to be solved. Continence rate was 66.7% at one year of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that a previous endoscopic bladder neck incision in patients with previous surgery for BOO makes easier the identification and dissection of the bladder neck itself during radical prostatectomy decreasing the risk of ureteral lesions as well as improving functional outcomes

A cemented acetabular component with a reinforcement cross provides excellent medium-term fixation in total hip arthroplasty after pelvic irradiation.

Conventional cemented acetabular components are reported to have a high rate of failure when implanted into previously irradiated bone. We recommend the use of a cemented reconstruction with the addition of an acetabular reinforcement cross to improve fixation. We reviewed a cohort of 45 patients (49 hips) who had undergone irradiation of the pelvis and a cemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) with an acetabular reinforcement cross. All hips had received a minimum dose of 30 Gray (Gy) to treat a primary nearby tumour or metastasis. The median dose of radiation was 50 Gy (Q1 to Q3: 45 to 60; mean: 49.57, 32 to 72). The mean follow-up after THA was 51 months (17 to 137). The cumulative probability of revision of the acetabular component for a mechanical reason was 0% (0 to 0%) at 24 months, 2.9% (0.2 to 13.3%) at 60 months and 2.9% (0.2% to 13.3%) at 120 months, respectively. One hip was revised for mechanical failure and three for infection. Cemented acetabular components with a reinforcement cross provide good medium-term fixation after pelvic irradiation. These patients are at a higher risk of developing infection of their THA.

Non-metastatic upper tract transitional cell carcinoma: single center experience.

BACKGROUND: Upper tract transitional cell carcinomas (UTCC) are relatively uncommon but prognosis is generally worse than TCC of bladder. METHODS: Between March 2004 and June 2012, patients with initial non- metastatic UTCC were assessed in the Medical Oncology and Urology Departments of Ataturk Training and Research Hospital. RESULTS: A total of 11 patients with initially non-metastatic UTCC were detected in the 8 year period, all males. Median age of was 62 (range, 38-74). Six lesions were located in the renal pelvis and 5 in the ureter. Nephroureterectomy was performed in 9 patients, and distal ureterectomy and cuff excision of the bladder in the remaining 2. The majority (n= 9) had high grade tumors. Median primary tumor diameter was 3.5 cm (range, 0.7-10). Five patients (45.5%) were stage I, 2 (18.2%) were stage II, and 4 (36.4%) were stage III. While adjuvant chemotherapy was not applied for stage I and II disease (n= 7), 4 to 6 courses were applied for 3 of the stage III patients. Also one stage III case received adjuvant radiotherapy. Up to 100 months follow-up, median overall survival was 13 months (range, 5-100 months). While stage I and II patients are following-up without muscle-invasive progression, 2 of stage III patients demonstrated progression. CONCLUSION: We need more collaborative studies to determine management of especially pT3-pT4 patients with UTCC.

Multimodality therapy including surgical resection and intraoperative electron radiotherapy for recurrent or advanced primary carcinoma of the urinary bladder or ureter.

OBJECTIVES: To report outcomes of multimodality therapy incorporating surgical resection and intraoperative electron radiotherapy (IOERT) for patients with locoregionally (LR) recurrent or advanced primary urothelial carcinoma. METHODS: From 1983 to 2009, 17 patients, consisting of 11 with LR recurrence after cystectomy for bladder carcinoma, 4 with LR recurrence after nephroureterectomy for ureteral carcinoma, and 2 with advanced primary bladder carcinoma were treated with multimodality therapy. In 8 patients with LR recurrence, the multimodality treatment was a second salvage attempt. Sixteen patients received perioperative external beam radiotherapy (median dose, 50.4 Gy; range, 21.6 to 60 Gy). Extent of resection was R0 (n=7), R1 (n=1), and R2 (n=9). The median IOERT dose was 12.5 Gy (range, 10 to 20 Gy). Overall survival (OS) and relapse patterns were determined from the date of resection and IOERT using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The median follow-up for surviving patients was 3.6 years (range, 1.1 to 10 y). OS at 1, 2, and 5 years was 53%, 31%, and 16%, respectively. Central (within the IOERT field), LR (tumor bed or regional lymph nodes), and distant relapses at 2 years were 15%, 49%, and 67%, respectively. On univariate analysis, resection of all gross disease (R0-1) was associated with improved OS (P=0.03). Mortality within 30 days was 0%. Two patients (12%) experienced NCI-CTCAE grades 4 and 5 late adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with recurrent or advanced urothelial carcinoma, this multimodality approach yielded a low rate of recurrence within the IOERT field with acceptable toxicity. However, LR and distant relapse were common, indicating a need for better patient selection, LR therapy, and systemic therapy.

Patterns of failure and prognostic factors for locoregional recurrence after radical surgery in upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma: implications for adjuvant radiotherapy.

AIMS: We investigated the patterns of failure and prognostic factors for locoregional control (LRC) in patients with upper urinary tract (UUT) transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) treated with radical surgery to evaluate the role of adjuvant radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 76 patients with TCC of the renal pelvis and ureter without distant metastasis who underwent curative-intent surgery. No locoregional or distant failure occurred in 19 patients with pTa-1 tumor, and we evaluated patterns of failure and prognostic factors in 57 patients with pT2 or more tumors. Adjuvant chemotherapy was applied in 25 patients. RESULTS: Recurrences occurred in a total of 23 patients, and 20 of these experienced some kind of locoregional failure during follow-up. The overall crude and initial isolated locoregional recurrence rates were 35 and 28%, respectively. In pT2 patients, all 4 recurrences were isolated locoregional recurrences, and 3 of them were successfully salvaged with chemoradiotherapy. Patients with pT3-4 or who were positive for nodal disease (N+) had a lower rate of LRC and worse prognosis after recurrences. On multivariate analysis, incomplete surgery, venous invasion and squamous metaplasia were identified as independent prognostic factors for LRC. CONCLUSIONS: Initial loco-regional recurrence was commonly detected by routine computed tomography in locally advanced UUT-TCC. Incomplete surgery, venous invasion and squamous metaplasia were independently associated with poor LRC. Active postoperative adjuvant treatment such as concurrent chemoradiotherapy could be considered in pT3-4 or N+ patients with adverse risk factors.

Radiation therapy in urinary cancer: state of the art and perspective.

Invasive urinary tumours are relatively rare, and their treatment may cause important changes in urinary, sexual and social functions. A systematic review of external radiation therapy studies in urinary cancers was performed. This synthesis of the literature is based on data from meta-analyses, randomised and prospective trials and retrospective studies. There are few controlled clinical trials using adjuvant or radical radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy in cancer of the kidney, ureter and urethra. There are several reports on multimodality treatment in invasive bladder cancer: intravesical surgery and neoadjuvant chemotherapy to radiotherapy or concomitant radiochemotherapy with organ preservation. The conclusions reached for renal cancer are controversial, and data on cancers of the urethra and ureter are few and inconclusive. Sufficient data now exist in the literature to demonstrate that conservative management with organ preservation is a valuable alternative to radical cystectomy, the traditional gold standard, in invasive bladder cancer.

Role of external radiation therapy in urinary cancers.

Invasive urinary tumors are relatively rare and their treatment may cause important changes in urinary, sexual, and social functions. A systematic review of external radiation therapy studies in urinary cancers has been carried out. This synthesis of the literature is based on data from meta-analysis, randomized and prospective trials, and retrospective studies. There are few controlled clinical trials using adjuvant or radical radiotherapy +/- chemotherapy in kidney, ureter, and urethra cancers; there are several reports of muscle-invasive bladder cancer using multimodality treatment: intravesical surgery and neo-adjuvant chemotherapy to radiotherapy or concomitant radiochemotherapy with organ preservation. The conclusions reached for renal cancer are controversial; urethra and ureter cancers data are few and inconclusive; sufficient data now exist in literature to demonstrate that conservative management with organ preservation, for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, is a valid alternative to radical cystectomy, viewed as the gold standard.

[Transitional carcinoma of the ureter with osseous metaplasia of the stroma: a case report]. / Carcinome urothélial de l'uretère avec métaplasie osseuse du stroma.

Transitional cell carcinoma with osseous metaplasia of the stroma is a rare variant of urothelial carcinoma which must be distinguished from sarcomatoid carcinoma. We report here a further observation of this tumor variant, in a very unusual location, the ureter, in order to underline the radiological and pathological characteristics useful for the correct diagnosis, and to point out the problems of differential diagnosis. The diagnosis was made in an 85-year-old patient, presenting with chronic right lombalgias. Imaging studies showed a calcified thickening of the right ureter, associated with a major dilatation of the right excretory cavities and a parenchymal atrophy of the right kidney. A right nephro-ureterectomy was performed. Macroscopical examination showed an ossified, ill-limited tumor, measuring 4 cm in diameter, infiltrating the right ureteral wall. At histological examination, the lesion was identified as a high grade transitional cell carcinoma with extensive osseous metaplasia of the stroma. There was no evidence for a sarcomatous component (absence of mesenchymal cell proliferation, absence of mitosis in stromal cells). An early locoregional recurrence was observed three months after surgery. Our case report underlines the radiological and histological features of a rare variant of transitional cell carcinoma, which may be diagnosed by pre-operative imaging studies and which must be distinguished from a highly aggressive sarcomatoid carcinoma.

[Prospective study of the treatment of localised ureteric strictures by wire mesh stent]. / Etude prospective de traitement des sténoses urétérales localisées par endoprothèse grillagée métallique.

AIMS: To assess efficacy of Mémotherm BARD ureteral metallic stent in the treatment of non-operable ureteral stenoses. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Prospective evaluation of ureteral stenoses consecutively treated using Mémotherm BARD ureteral metallic stent. Assessment criteria (recurrence frequency, permeability, tolerance, complications) were measured by clinical examination, Intra Veinous Pyelography, renal sonography, urine culture at 1, and every 3 months. RESULTS: Thirteen stents were inserted in 12 patients (mean age: 68 yrs) presenting with subsequent ureteral stenosis (9 neoplastic, 3 following radiotherapy) over a 3 year period. No technical difficulty was observed. Mean follow-up was 19 months. Stenosis recurrence was observed in 5 patients, due to tumoural progression, but with no tumour in-growth. There was non incrustation or migration, pain, hematuria, infection due to the stent. All stent remained permeable and functional in surviving patients. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, Mémotherm BARD ureteral metallic stent could be considered a useful cost-effective alternative to double J stent or traditional surgery in non-operable or end-of-life patients. The high ureteral stenosis recurrence rate was linked to the patient initial pathology. Considering these encouraging results, this study could represent the first stage of a multicenter tracker-study, which would permit to take into account further technological development of this type of material.

Adjuvant radiotherapy with and without concurrent chemotherapy for locally advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter.

PURPOSE: Transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract is a relatively uncommon malignancy. The role of adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy is not well defined. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 31 patients who underwent surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy to determine overall outcome as well as impact of concurrent chemotherapy administration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1970 and 1997, 31 patients with nonmetastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (renal pelvis in 13, ureter in 15, and renal pelvis and ureter in 3) were treated with radiotherapy following attempted curative resection. Most patients (28 of 31) had T3/4 and/or N+ disease. The median radiation dose was 46.9 Gy. Nine patients received methotrexate, cisplatin and vinblastine chemotherapy for 2 to 4 cycles, followed by concurrent cisplatin with radiation. RESULTS: Median followup was 2.6 years in all patients and 8.5 years in survivors. Median survival in all patients was 2.4 years. Of the patients 16 (52%) experienced disease relapse, including 9 (29%) with distant metastases alone. Seven patients (23%) experienced locoregional failure with distant metastases developing in all except 1 within 8 months of locoregional failure diagnosis. Five-year actuarial overall survival, disease specific survival, locoregional control and metastasis-free survival rates were 39%, 52%, 67% and 48%, respectively. On univariate analysis patients had improved 5-year actuarial overall and disease specific survival with the administration of concurrent chemotherapy (27% vs 67%, p = 0.01 and 41% vs 76%, p = 0.06, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our series suggests that the addition of concurrent cisplatin to adjuvant radiotherapy improves the ultimate outcome in patients with resected, locally advanced upper tract urothelial malignancies. This regimen should be considered in patients with T3/4 and/or node positive upper tract transitional cell carcinoma.

[Primary sarcomatoid carcinoma of the ureter]. / Primäres sarkomatoides Karzinom des Ureters.

INTRODUCTION: We present a case of unusually rapid tumor progression in a patient with primary sarcomatoid carcinoma of the ureter. CASE REPORT: An 82-year-old female patient underwent total nephroureterectomy for a ureteral tumor that turned out to be a primary sarcomatoid carcinoma of the ureter. After a normal postoperative course, the patient developed a metastatic symptomatic that seemed to have appeared "like an explosion" on the 33rd p. o. day. She died shortly thereafter. CONCLUSION: This is the second case of primary sarcomatoid carcinoma of the ureter published in the literature, a rare and aggressive variant of urothelial carcinoma with a highly malignant potential. As no effective adjuvant treatment has been reported as yet, we recommend mandatory radical excision of the sarcomatoid tumor and early postoperative radiation therapy to increase survival.

Cancer Primitif de l'Uretre

Objective: We report six cases of primitive cancer of the urethra out of a total of 1109 cases of urologic cancers hospitalized during a period of 12 years. Patients and Methods: From 1990 to 2001 six patients (four males; two females) were hospitalized for cancer of the urethra. The tumors were analyzed according to the classification of Grabstald. All the patients were explored by retrograde urethrocystography showing an irregular image of the urethra and at times opacifying the sinus ways. Urethrocystoscopy showed the site of the tumor and its aspect and allowed for diagnostic biopsies. In five cases it revealed an epidermoid cancer and an adenocarcinoma in one case. The treatment used depended on the stage of the disease and the general condition of the patients. Two patients underwent radical pelvectomy without any adjuvant treatment. Two patients with disseminated disease received palliative treatment by radiotherapy. The two remaining patients having refused surgical treatment were also treated by radiotherapy alone. Results: Overall; the average rate of survival was 17.5 months (3 to 60 months). The best results were achieved with surgical treatment. Two of the patients referred to the oncologist for palliative radiotherapy died within 3 and 6 months; respectively. One patient treated by radiotherapy alone after having refused surgical treatment presented 6 months later with a long post-radiation stenosis of the urethra. Since the patient still refused surgical treatment; he was treated by final cystostomy. The last patient also treated by exclusive radiotherapy is being followed up by the radiologists. Conclusion: Primitive cancer of the urethra is rare. Its semiology is not very specific which explains the frequently delayed diagnosis. It is the meticulous examination of the urethra which allows the diagnosis. The treatment of choice is surgery and/or radiotherapy

[Clinical study of chemoradiotherapy using low dose cisplatinum as X-ray intensifier in patients with urothelial carcinoma].

Chemoradiotherapy using cisplatinum (CDDP) as the X-ray intensifier was performed on patients with urothelial carcinoma. Ten lesions in 9 patients, 6 patients with postoperative relapse and 3 who received the therapy as a palliative treatment for progressive carcinoma, were evaluated. Four of the patients with postoperative relapse had undergone adjuvant chemotherapy. On the day of the treatment, the 9 patients were given continuous intravenous infusion of CDDP at the dose level of 5-12 mg/day prior to external irradiation at 50-66 Gy. The response to the therapy was categorized as complete response in 5 patients, partial response in 4, and no change in 1. The response rate was 90%, indicating achievement of a good local control. Pain relief and improvement of hydronephrosis were also observed in patients who underwent the therapy for treatment of progressive carcinoma. All adverse reactions were mild in intensity. These results suggest that the chemoradiotherapy is useful for both patient groups, those who have a postoperative relapse and those who undergo the therapy as a palliative treatment for progressive carcinoma.

Advanced ureteral cancer with complete remission achieved by taxan containing systemic chemotherapy.

We report a case of advanced ureteral cancer successfully treated with systemic chemotherapy combined with irradiation. A 47-year-old man was diagnosed as having a right ureteral cancer at the clinical stage of T4, N2 and M1 (liver). A papillary tumor was also found in the bladder and the resected specimen showed a grade 1 transitional cell carcinoma. Although three cycles of methotrexate, vinblastine, pirarubicin and cisplatin (MVAC) gave partial response to the ureteral tumor, new metastases to the lung and pelvic bone were observed. The patient received 50 Gy external irradiation to the pelvis, 11 cycles of paclitaxel (270 mg) and cisplatin (60-80 mg) followed by four cycles of docetaxel (100 mg) and cisplatin. Thereafter, he underwent bone biopsy, partial hepatectomy, total nephroureterectomy and lymph node resection, by which a complete response was achieved pathologically. The patient has been alive without evidence of disease for 12 months.

Monoarthritis secondary to joint metastasis. Two case reports and literature review.

Synovial metastases from neoplasms are uncommon. We report two cases of knee monoarthritis due to joint metastasis. Joint fluid cytology established the diagnosis. In one patient, an epidermoid carcinoma of the ureter metastasized to the left knee. The other patient had chronic monoarthritis of the left knee unresponsive to conventional treatment and was found to have distal femoral metastases from a lung adenocarcinoma. Only 28 cases of synovial metastases from solid tumors have been reported in the literature. The knee is the most common target, the lung the most common site of the primary (12 cases), and adenocarcinoma the most common histological type (12 cases). Joint metastasis carries a poor prognosis with a mean survival of less than 5 months.