Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Surgical Management for Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Upper Tract

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Renal Cancer

  • 964 Accesses

Abstract

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma involving the renal pelvis and ureter is a relatively uncommon urologic malignancy and is often associated with a poor prognosis. Strategies for surgical management continue to evolve with controversy in many respects. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a contemporary review of these strategies in terms of diagnosis and endoscopic and surgical treatment.

Patients who are at highest risk of developing upper tract urothelial malignancy are those who have been diagnosed with bladder tumors. Following radical cystectomy, the majority of early recurrences can be detected through routine oncologic surveillance. However, long-term recurrences may only be detected following development of symptoms.

Nephroureterectomy has been considered the gold standard in treating upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy is now standard as well although ideal management of the bladder cuff remains controversial. In patients in whom nephroureterectomy will lead to dialysis, nephron-sparing treatment options may be preferable. Endoscopic management is effective in this setting and more recently has been extended to patients with a normal contralateral kidney with low-grade, low-volume tumors. Topical treatment including BCG mitomycin and BCG with interferon alpha has also been shown to be effective as an organ-sparing approach.

While advantages of lymphadenectomy have been reported for other genitourinary cancers, the role of lymphadenectomy in upper tract urothelial cancer remains to be determined. Perioperative chemotherapy is commonly offered to patients with advanced upper tract urothelial cancer, and hopefully more effective therapies and better patient selection will lead to a defined survival benefit with this strategy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. National Cancer Institute, US Department of Health and Human Services. Annual cancer statistics review: including cancer trends: 1950–1985. Bethesda: National Cancer Institute, US Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication no. 88-2789; 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Guinan P, Vogelzang NJ, Randazzo R, Sener S, Chmiel J, Fremgen A, Sylvester J. Renal pelvic cancer: a review of 611 patients treated in Illinois 1975–1985: cancer incidence and end results committee. Urology. 1992;40:393–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Huben RP. Tumor markers in bladder cancer. Urology. 1984;23:10–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Bhandari A, Alassi O, Rogers C, MacLennan GT. Squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis. J Urol. 2010;183(5):2023–4. Epub 2010 Mar 19.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Ho CH, Lin WC, Pu YS, Yu HJ, Huang CY. Primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of renal pelvis with carcinoembryonic antigen production. Urology. 2008;71:e7–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Ouzzane A, Ghoneim TP, Udo K, Verhasselt-Crinquette M, Puech P, Betrouni N, Rouprêt M, Villers A, Leroy X, Colin P. Small cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UUT-SCC): report of a rare entity and systematic review of the literature. Cancer Treat Rev. 2011;37(5):366–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Munakata S, Tahara H, Kojima K, Kishimoto T. Micropapillary urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis: report of a case and review of the literature. Med Sci Monit. 2007;13(4):CS47–52.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Romesburg JW, Stein RJ, Desai MM, Lagwinski N, Ross JH. Treatment of child with bilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction due to fibroepithelial polyps and review of the literature. Urology. 2009;73(4):929.e9–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Herawi M, Parwani AV, Edlow D, Smolev JK, Epstein JI. Glomus tumor of renal pelvis: a case report and review of the literature. Hum Pathol. 2005;36(3):299–302.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Devesa SS, Silverman DT, McLaughlin JK, Brown CC, Connelly RR, Fraumeni Jr JF. Comparison of the descriptive epidemiology of urinary tract cancers. Cancer Causes Control. 1990;1(2):133–41.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Fernández MI, Shariat SF, Margulis V, Bolenz C, Montorsi F, Suardi N, Remzi M, Wood CG, Roscigno M, Kikuchi E, Oya M, Zigeuner R, Langner C, Weizer A, Lotan Y, Koppie TM, Raman JD, Karakiewicz P, Bensalah K, Schultz M, Bernier P. Evidence-based sex-related outcomes after radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma: results of large multicenter study. Urology. 2009;73:142–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Jemal A, Tiwari RC, Murray T, Ghafoor A, Samuels A, Ward E, Feuer EJ, Thun MJ, American Cancer Society. Cancer statistics, 2004. CA Cancer J Clin. 2004;54:8–29.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Solsona E, Iborra I, Ricós JV, Monrós JL, Dumont R, Almenar S. Extravesical involvement in patients with bladder carcinoma in situ: biological and therapy implications. J Urol. 1996;155:895–9. discussion 899–900.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Holmäng S, Hedelin H, Anderström C, Holmberg E, Johansson SL. Long-term followup of a bladder carcinoma cohort: routine followup urography is not necessary. J Urol. 1998;160:45–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Abercrombie GF, Eardley I, Payne SR, Walmsley BH, Vinnicombe J. Modified nephro-ureterectomy. Long-term follow-up with particular reference to subsequent bladder tumours. Br J Urol. 1988;61(3):198–200.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Huben RP, Gaeta J. Pathology and its importance in evaluating outcome in patients with superficial bladder cancer. Semin Urol Oncol. 1996;14(1 Suppl 1):23–9. Review.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Murphy DM, Zincke H, Furlow WL. Management of high grade transitional cell cancer of the upper urinary tract. J Urol. 1981;125(1):25–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Takahashi T, Kakehi Y, Mitsumori K, Akao T, Terachi T, Kato T, Ogawa O, Habuchi T. Distinct microsatellite alterations in upper urinary tract tumors and subsequent bladder tumors. J Urol. 2001;165(2):672–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Zhang ZT, Pak J, Shapiro E, Sun TT, Wu XR. Urothelium-specific expression of an oncogene in transgenic mice induced the formation of carcinoma in situ and invasive transitional cell carcinoma. Cancer Res. 1999;59(14):3512–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Riedel I, Liang FX, Deng FM, Tu L, Kreibich G, Wu XR, Sun TT, Hergt M, Moll R. Urothelial umbrella cells of human ureter are heterogeneous with respect to their uroplakin composition: different degrees of urothelial maturity in ureter and bladder? Eur J Cell Biol. 2005;84(2–3):393–405.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Park S, Hong B, Kim CS, Ahn H. The impact of tumor location on prognosis of transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. J Urol. 2004;171:621–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Ouzzane A, Colin P, Xylinas E, Pignot G, Ariane MM, Saint F, Hoarau N, Adam E, Azemar MD, Bensadoun H, Cormier L, Cussenot O, Houlgatte A, Karsenty G, Bruyère F, Maurin C, Nouhaud FX, Phe V, Polguer T, Roumiguié M, Ruffion A, Rouprêt M, French Collaborative National Database on UUT-UC. Ureteral and multifocal tumours have worse prognosis than renal pelvic tumours in urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract treated by nephroureterectomy. Eur Urol. 2011;60(6):1258–65. Epub 2011 Jun 7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Akdogan B, Dogan HS, Eskicorapci SY, Sahin A, Erkan I, Ozen H. Prognostic significance of bladder tumor history and tumor location in upper tract transitional cell carcinoma. J Urol. 2006;176:48–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. van der Poel HG, Antonini N, van Tinteren H, Horenblas S. Upper urinary tract cancer: location is correlated with prognosis. Eur Urol. 2005;48(3):438–44.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Raman JD, Ng CK, Scherr DS, Margulis V, Lotan Y, Bensalah K, Patard JJ, Kikuchi E, Montorsi F, Zigeuner R, Weizer A, Bolenz C, Koppie TM, Isbarn H, Jeldres C, Kabbani W, Remzi M, Waldert M, Wood CG, Roscigno M, Oya M, Langner C, Wolf JS, Ströbel P, Fernández M, Karakiewcz P, Shariat SF. Impact of tumor location on prognosis for patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma managed by radical nephroureterectomy. Eur Urol. 2010;57:1072–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Catto JW, Yates DR, Rehman I, Azzouzi AR, Patterson J, Sibony M, Cussenot O, Hamdy FC. Behavior of urothelial carcinoma with respect to anatomical location. J Urol. 2007;177:1715–20.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Margulis V, Youssef RF, Karakiewicz PI, Lotan Y, Wood CG, Zigeuner R, Kikuchi E, Weizer A, Raman JD, Remzi M, Roscigno M, Montorsi F, Bolenz C, Kassouf W, Shariat SF, Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Collaborative Group. Preoperative multivariable prognostic model for prediction of nonorgan confined urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. J Urol. 2010;184(2):453–8. Epub 2010 Jun 17.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Fleming ID, Cooper JS, Henson DE, Hutter RVP, Kennedy BJ, Murphy GP, O’Sullivan B, Sobin LH, Yarbro JW, eds. Renal pelvis and ureter. American Joint Committee on Cancer. In: Manual for staging of cancer. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven; 1997. pp. 235–7.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Langner C, Hutterer G, Chromecki T, Winkelmayer I, Rehak P, Zigeuner R. pT classification, grade, and vascular invasion as prognostic indicators in urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. Mod Pathol. 2006;19(2):272–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Novara G, De Marco V, Gottardo F, Dalpiaz O, Bouygues V, Galfano A, Martignoni G, Patard JJ, Artibani W, Ficarra V. Independent predictors of cancer-specific survival in transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract: multi-institutional dataset from 3 European centers. Cancer. 2007;110(8):1715–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Kim DS, Lee YH, Cho KS, Cho NH, Chung BH, Hong SJ. Lymphovascular invasion and pT stage are prognostic factors in patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy for localized upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. Urology. 2010;75(2):328–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Remzi M, Haitel A, Margulis V, Karakiewicz P, Montorsi F, Kikuchi E, Zigeuner R, Weizer A, Bolenz C, Bensalah K, Suardi N, Raman JD, Lotan Y, Waldert M, Ng CK, Fernández M, Koppie TM, Ströbel P, Kabbani W, Murai M, Langner C, Roscigno M, Wheat J, Guo CC, Wood CG, Shariat SF. Tumour architecture is an independent predictor of outcomes after nephroureterectomy: a multi-institutional analysis of 1363 patients. BJU Int. 2009;103(3):307–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Zigeuner R, Shariat SF, Margulis V, Karakiewicz PI, Roscigno M, Weizer A, Kikuchi E, Remzi M, Raman JD, Bolenz C, Bensalah K, Capitanio U, Koppie TM, Kassouf W, Sircar K, Patard JJ, Fernández MI, Wood CG, Montorsi F, Ströbel P, Wheat JC, Haitel A, Oya M, Guo CC, Ng C, Chade DC, Sagalowsky A, Langner C. Tumour necrosis is an indicator of aggressive biology in patients with urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. Eur Urol. 2010;57(4):575–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Cho KS, Hong SJ, Cho NH, Choi YD. Grade of hydronephrosis and tumor diameter as preoperative prognostic factors in ureteral transitional cell carcinoma. Urology. 2007;70(4):662–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Chung SD, Wang SM, Lai MK, Huang CY, Liao CH, Huang KH, Pu YS, Chueh SC, Yu HJ. Lymphovascular invasion predicts poor outcome of urothelial carcinoma of renal pelvis after nephroureterectomy. BJU Int. 2009;103(8):1047–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Yang MH, Chen KK, Yen CC, Wang WS, Chang YH, Huang WJ, Fan FS, Chiou TJ, Liu JH, Chen PM. Unusually high incidence of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma in Taiwan. Urology. 2002;59:681–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Shinka T, Miyai M, Sawada Y, Inagaki T, Okawa T. Factors affecting the occurrence of urothelial tumors in dye workers exposed to aromatic amines. Int J Urol. 1995;2(4):243–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Stewart JH, Hobbs JB, McCredie MR. Morphologic evidence that analgesic-induced kidney pathology contributes to the progression of tumors of the renal pelvis. Cancer. 1999;86:1576–82.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Colin P, Koenig P, Ouzzane A, Berthon N, Villers A, Biserte J, Rouprêt M. Environmental factors involved in carcinogenesis of urothelial cell carcinomas of the upper urinary tract. BJUI. 2009;104:1436–40.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Arlt VM, Stiborová M, vom Brocke J, Simões ML, Lord GM, Nortier JL, Hollstein M, Phillips DH, Schmeiser HH, et al. Aristolochic acid mutagenesis: molecular clues to the aetiology of Balkan endemic nephropathy-associated urothelial cancer. Carcinogenesis. 2007;28:2253–61.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Lord GM, Cook T, Arlt VM, Schmeiser HH, Williams G, Pusey CD. Urothelial malignant disease and Chinese herbal nephropathy. Lancet. 2001;358:1515–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Laing C, Hamour S, Sheaff M, Miller R, Woolfson R. Chinese herbal uropathy and nephropathy. Lancet. 2006;368:338.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Debelle FD, Vanherweghem JL, Nortier JL. Aristolochic acid nephropathy: a worldwide problem. Kidney Int. 2008;74:158–69.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Babjuk M, Oosterlinck W, Sylvester R, Kaasinen E, Bohle A, Palou-Redorta J. EAU guidelines on non-muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. Eur Urol. 2008;54:303–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. American Urological Association. Guidelines for the management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (stages Ta, T1, Tis). Linthicum: American Urological Association; 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Montie JE, Bahnson RR, Cohen SM. Bladder cancer. Clinical practice guidelines in oncology. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2005;3(1):19–34.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Solsona E, Iborra I, Ricos JV, Dumont R, Casanova JL, Calabuig C. Upper urinary tract involvement in patients with bladder carcinoma in situ (Tis): its impact on management. Urology. 1997;49:347–52.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Youssef RF, Shariat SF, Lotan Y, Wood CG, Sagalowsky AI, Zigeuner R, Langner C, Montorsi F, Bolenz C, Margulis V. Prognostic effect of urinary bladder carcinoma in situ on clinical outcome of subsequent upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Urology. 2011;77(4):861–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Slaton JW, Swanson DA, Grossman HB, Dinney CP. A stage specific approach to tumor surveillance after radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. J Urol. 1999;162:710–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Solsona E, Iborra I, Rubio J, Casanova J, Dumont R, Monros JL. Late oncological occurrences following radical cystectomy in patients with bladder cancer. Eur Urol. 2003;43:489–94.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Browne RF, Meehan CP, Colville J, Power R, Torreggiani WC. Transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract: spectrum of imaging findings. Radiographics. 2005;25(6):1609–27.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. McCoy JG, Honda H, Reznicek M, Williams RD. Computerized tomography for detection and staging of localized and pathologically defined upper tract urothelial tumors. J Urol. 1991;146(6):1500–3.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Chlapoutakis K, Theocharopoulos N, Yarmenitis S, Damilakis J. Performance of computed tomographic urography in diagnosis of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma, in patients presenting with hematuria: systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Radiol. 2010;73(2):334–8. Epub 2008 Dec 6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Albani JM, Ciaschini MW, Streem SB, Herts BR, Angermeier KW. The role of computerized tomographic urography in the initial evaluation of hematuria. J Urol. 2007;177(2):644–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Kang CH, Yu TJ, Hsieh HH, Yang JW, Shu K, Huang CC, Chiang PH, Shiue YL. The development of bladder tumors and contralateral upper urinary tract tumors after primary transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. Cancer. 2003;98:1620–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Blute ML, Segura JW, Patterson DE, Benson Jr RC, Zincke H. Impact of endourology on diagnosis and management of upper urinary tract urothelial cancer. J Urol. 1989;141:1298–301.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Colston JA, Arcadi JA. Bilateral renal papillomas: transpelvic electro-resection with preservation of kidney; contralateral nephrectomy; four-year survival. J Urol. 1955;73:460–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Gibson TE. Local excision in transitional cell tumors of the upper urinary tract. J Urol. 1967;97:619–22.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Huffman JL, Bagley DH, Lyon ES, Morse MJ, Herr HW, Whitmore Jr WF. Endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of upper-tract urothelial tumors. A preliminary report. Cancer. 1985;55:1422–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Daneshmand S, Quek ML, Huffman JL. Endoscopic management of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma: long-term experience. Cancer. 2003;98:55–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Adamis S, Varkarakis J, Jarrett TW. Endoscopic treatment of urothelial tumours of the renal pelvis and ureter. Arch Esp Urol. 2011;64(2):89–96.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Badalament RA, Bennett WF, Bova JG, Kenworthy PR, Wise 2nd HA, Smith S, Perez J, et al. Computed tomography of primary transitional cell carcinoma of upper urinary tracts. Urology. 1992;40:71–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Mills IW, Laniado ME, Patel A. The role of endoscopy in the management of patients with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. BJU Int. 2001;87:150–62.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Elliott DS, Segura JW, Lightner D, Patterson DE, Blute ML. Is nephroureterectomy necessary in all cases of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma? Long-term results of conservative endourologic management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma in individuals with a normal contralateral kidney. Urology. 2001;58:174–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Ritter M, Bolenz C, Bach T, Strobel P, Hacker A. Standardized ex vivo comparison of different upper urinary tract biopsy devices: impact on ureterorenoscopes and tissue quality. World J Urol. 2012;Mar 27. [Epub ahead of print, PMID: 22451168]

    Google Scholar 

  66. Schmeller NT, Hofstetter AG. Laser treatment of ureteral tumors. J Urol. 1989;141:840–3.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Johnson GB, Grasso M. Ureteroscopic management of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. Curr Opin Urol. 2005;15:89–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Potter SR, Chow GK, Jarrett TW. Percutaneous endoscopic management of urothelial tumors of the renal pelvis. Urology. 2001;58:457–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Chen GL, Bagley DH. Ureteroscopic surgery for upper tract transitional-cell carcinoma: complications and management. J Endourol. 2001;15:399–404.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Varkarakis I, Jarrett T. Percutaneous approach to upper urinary tract tumors. In: Nakada S, Pearle M, editors. Advanced endourology. Totowa: Humana Press; 2006. p. 253–66.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  71. Nakada S, Clayman RV. Percutaneous electrovaporization of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma in patients with functionally solitary kidneys. Urology. 1995;46:751–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Chew BH, Pautler SE, Denstedt JD. Percutaneous management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma. J Endourol. 2005;19:658–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Jarrett TW, Sweetser PM, Weiss GH, Smith AD. Percutaneous management of transitional cell carcinoma of the renal collecting system: 9-year experience. J Urol. 1995;154:1629–35.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Goel MC, Roberts JG. Percutaneous resection of renal transitional carcinoma: venous injury and its conservative management. Urol Int. 2001;67:170–2.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Keeley F-XJ, Bagley DH. Adjuvant mitomycin C following endoscopic treatment of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma. J Urol. 1997;158:2074.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Nepple KG, Joudi FN, O’Donnell MA. Review of topical treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Advances in urology volume 2009; Article ID 472831. pp. 1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  77. Burns JA, Williams RD, Hedican SP, O’Donnell MA. The treatment of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma with BCG plus interferon-alpha. In: Proceedings of the North Central Section of the American urological association annual meeting. Cancun; 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  78. Katz MH, Lee MW, Gupta M. Setting a new standard for topical therapy of upper-tract transitional-cell carcinoma: BCG and interferon-a2B. J Endourol. 2007;21(4):374–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Patel A, Fuchs GJ. New techniques for the administration of topical adjuvant therapy after endoscopic ablation of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. J Urol. 1998;159:71–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. Studer UE, Casanova G, Kraft R, Zingg EJ. J Urol. 1989;142:975–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Jabbour ME, Smith AD. Primary percutaneous approach to upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. Urol Clin North Am. 2000;27:739–50.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Chen GL, Bagley DH. Ureteroscopic management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma in patients with normal contralateral kidneys. J Urol. 2000;164:1173–76.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Ho KV, Chow GK. Ureteroscopic resection of upper-tract transitional-cell carcinoma. J Endourol. 2005;19:841–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  84. Tawfiek ER, Bagley DH. Upper-tract transitional cell carcinoma. Urology. 1997;50:321–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. Martinez-Pineiro JA, Matres MJ, Martinez-Pineiro L. Endourological treatment of upper-tract urothelial carcinomas: analysis of a series of 59 tumors. J Urol. 1996;156:377–85.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. Elliott DS, Blute ML, Patterson DE, Bergstralh EJ, Segura JW. Long-term follow-up of endoscopically treated upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. Urology. 1996;47:819–25.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. Deligne E, Colombel M, Badet L, Taniere P, Rouviere O, Dubernard JM, Lezrek M, Gelet A, Martin X. Conservative management of upper tract tumors. Eur Urol. 2002;42:43–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  88. Huang A, Low RK, White R. Case reports: nephrostomy tract tumor seeding following percutaneous manipulation of a ureteral carcinoma. J Urol. 1995;153:1041–2.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. Sharma NK, Nicol A, Powell CS. Tract infiltration following percutaneous resection of renal pelvic transitional cell carcinoma. Br J Urol. 1994;73:597–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Liatsikos EN, Dinlenc CZ, Kapoor R, Smith AD. Transitional-cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis: ureteroscopic and percutaneous approach. J Endourol. 2001;15:377–83.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  91. Patel A, Soonawalla P, Shepherd SF, Dearnaley DP, Kellett MJ, Woodhouse CR. Long-term outcome after percutaneous treatment of transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis. J Urol. 1996;155:868–74.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. Lee BR, Jabbour ME, Marshall FF, Smith AD, Jarrett TW. 13-year survival comparison of percutaneous and open nephroureterectomy approaches for management of transitional cell carcinoma of renal collecting system: equivalent outcomes. J Endourol. 1999;13:289–94.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  93. Plancke HR, Strijbos WE, Delaere KP. Percutaneous endoscopic treatment of urothelial tumours of the renal pelvis. Br J Urol. 1995;75:736–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  94. Haupt G. Editorial comment: transitional-cell carcinoma of the ureter. J Endourol. 2001;15:409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  95. Babaian RJ, Johnson DE. Primary carcinoma of the ureter. J Urol. 1980;123:357–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. Zincke H, Neves RJ. Feasibility of conservative surgery for transitional cell cancer of the upper urinary tract. Urol Clin North Am. 1984;11:717–24.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  97. Hall MC, Womack S, Sagalowsky AI, Carmody T, Erickstad MD, Roehrborn CG. Prognostic factors, recurrence, and survival in transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract: a 30-year experience in 252 patients. Urology. 1998;52:594–601.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  98. Heney NM, Nocks BN, Daly JJ, Blitzer PH, Parkhurst EC. Prognostic factors in carcinoma of the ureter. J Urol. 1981;125:623–6.

    Google Scholar 

  99. Batata MA, Whitmore WF, Hilaris BS, Tokita N, Grabstald H. Primary carcinoma of the renal pelvis: a prognostic study. Cancer. 1975;35:1626.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  100. Nakada SY, Moon TD, Gist M, Mahvi D. Use of pneumosleeve as an adjunct in laparoscopic nephrectomy. Urology. 1997;49:612–3.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  101. Chen J, Chueh SC, Hsu WT, Lai MK, Chen SC. Modified approach of hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. Urology. 2001;58:930–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  102. Clayman RV, Garske GL, Lange PH. Total nephroureterectomy with ureteral intussusception and transurethral ureteral detachment and pull-through. Urology. 1983;21:482–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  103. Hara N, Kitamura Y, Saito T, Wakatsuki S, Sakata Y, Komatsubara S. Nephrectomy plus endoscopy-assisted intussusception ureterectomy for patients with renal pelvic cancer: long term oncologic outcomes in comparison with nephroureterectomy plus bladder cuff removal. J Endourol. 2011;25(4):691–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  104. Hetherington JW, Ewing R. Modified nephroureterectomy: a risk of tumour implantation. Br J Urol. 1986;58:368–70.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  105. Jones DR, Moisey CU. A cautionary tale of the modified “pluck” nephroureterectomy. Br J Urol. 1993;71:486.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  106. Arango O, Bielsa O, Carles J, Gelabert-Mas A. Massive tumor implantation in the endoscopic resected area in modified nephroureterectomy. J Urol. 1997;157:1839.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  107. Gill IS, Sung GT, Hobart MG, Savage SJ, Meraney AM, Schweizer DK, Klein EA, Novick AC. Laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma: the Cleveland Clinic experience. J Urol. 2000;164:1513–22.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  108. McDougall EM, Clayman RV, Elashry O. Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper tract transitional cell cancer: the Washington University experience. J Urol. 1995;154:975–80.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  109. Shalhav AL, Dunn MD, Portis AJ, Elbahnasy AM, McDougall EM, Clayman RV. Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper tract transitional cell cancer: the Washington University experience. J Urol. 2000;163:1100–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  110. Thompson RH, Krambeck AE, Lohse CM, Elliott DS, Patterson DE, Blute ML. Elective endoscopic management of transitional cell carcinoma first diagnosed in the upper urinary tract. BJU Int. 2008;102(9):1107–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  111. Jeldres C, Lughezzani G, Sun M, Isbarn H, Shariat SF, Budaus L, Lattouf JB, Widmer H, Graefen M, Montorsi F, Perrotte P, Karakiewicz PI. Segmental ureterectomy can safely be performed in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the ureter. J Urol. 2010;183(4):1324–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  112. Pettersson S, Brynger H, Johansson S, Nilsson AE. Extracorporeal surgery and autotransplantation for carcinoma of the pelvis and ureter. Scand J Urol Nephrol. 1979;13:89–93.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  113. Holmang S, Johansson SL. Tumours of the ureter and renal pelvis treated with resection and renal autotransplantation: a study with up to 20 years of follow-up. BJU Int. 2005;95:1201–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  114. Wotkowicz C, Libertino JA. Renal autotransplantation. BJU Int. 2004;93(3):253–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  115. Steffens J, Humke U, Alloussi S, Ziegler M, Siemer S. Partial nephrectomy and autotransplantation with pyelovesicostomy for renal urothelial carcinoma in solitary kidneys: a clinical update. BJU Int. 2007;99:1020–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  116. Novara G, De Marco V, Gottardo F, Dalpiaz O, Bouygues V, Galfano A, Martignoni G, Patard JJ, Artibani W, Ficarra V. Independent predictors of cancer-specific survival in transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract: multi-institutional dataset from 3 European centers. Cancer. 2007;110:1715.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  117. Oosterlinck W, Solsona E, van der Meijden AP, Sylvester R, Böhle A, Rintala E, Lobel B, European Association of Urology. EAU guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. Eur Urol. 2004;46:147–54.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  118. Kundu SD, Eggener SE. Retroperitoneal lymph nodes in transitional cell carcinoma of the kidney and ureter. Adv Urol. 2009:181927. Epub 26 Jan 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  119. Jensen TK, Holt P, Gerke O, Riehmann M, Svolgaard B, Marcussen N, Bouchelouche K, et al. Preoperative lymph-node staging of invasive urothelial bladder cancer with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed axial tomography and magnetic resonance imaging: correlation with histopathology. Scand J Urol Nephrol. 2011;45:122.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  120. Komatsu H, Tanabe N, Kubodera S, Maezawa H, Ueno A. The role of lymphadenectomy in the treatment of transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. J Urol. 1997;157:1622.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  121. Abe T, Shinohara N, Harabayashi T, Sazawa A, Ishikawa S, Kubota K, Matsuno Y, Osawa T, Shibata T, Shinno Y, Kamota S, Minami K, Sakashita S, Takeuchi I, Kumagai A, Mori T, Togashi M, Nonomura K. The role of lymph-node dissection in the treatment of upper urinary tract cancer: a multi-institutional study. BJU Int. 2008;102(5):576–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  122. Kondo T, Nakazawa H, Ito F, Hashimoto Y, Toma H, Tanabe K. Impact of the extent of regional lymphadenectomy on the survival of patients with urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. J Urol. 2007;178(4 Pt 1):1212–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  123. Roscigno M, Shariat SF, Margulis V, Karakiewicz P, Remzi M, Kikuchi E, Langner C, Lotan Y, Weizer A, Bensalah K, Raman JD, Bolenz C, Guo CC, Wood CG, Zigeuner R, Wheat J, Kabbani W, Koppie TM, Ng CK, Suardi N, Bertini R, Fernández MI, Mikami S, Isida M, Michel MS, Montorsi F. Impact of lymph node dissection on cancer specific survival in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma treated with radical nephroureterectomy. J Urol. 2009;181:2482.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  124. Kondo T, Nakazawa H, Ito F, Hashimoto Y, Toma H, Tanabe K. Primary site and incidence of lymph node metastases in urothelial carcinoma of upper urinary tract. Urology. 2007;69(2):265–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  125. Kondo T, Tanabe K. The role of lymph node dissection in the management of urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. Int J Clin Oncol. 2011;16:170–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  126. Roscigno M, Cozzarini C, Bertini R, Scattoni V, Freschi M, Da Pozzo LF, Briganti A, Gallina A, Capitanio U, Colombo R, Giorgio G, Montorsi F, Rigatti P. Prognostic value of lymph node dissection in patients with muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. Eur Urol. 2008;53:794–802.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  127. Abe T, Shinohara N, Muranaka M, Sazawa A, Maruyama S, Osawa T, Harabayashi T, Kubota K, Matsuno Y, Shibata T, Toyada Y, Shinno Y, Minami K, Sakashita S, Kumagai A, Takada N, Togashi M, Sano H, Mori T, Nonomura K. Role of lymph node dissection in the treatment of urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract: multi-institutional relapse analysis and immunohistochemical re-evaluation of negative lymph nodes. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2010;36:1085–91.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  128. Weight C, Gettman MT. The emerging role of lymphadenectomy in upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Urol Clin North Am. 2011;38:429–37.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  129. Lughezzani G, Jeldres C, Isbarn H, Shariat SF, Sun M, Pharand D, Widmer H, Arjane P, Graefen M, Montorsi F, Perrotte P, Karakiewicz PI. A critical appraisal of the value of lymph node dissection at nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Urology. 2010;75:118.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  130. Grossman HB, Natale RB, Tangen CM, Speights VO, Vogelzang NJ, Trump DL, deVere White RW, Sarosdy MF, Wood Jr DP, Raghavan D, Crawford ED. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus cystectomy compared with cystectomy alone for locally advanced bladder cancer. N Engl J Med. 2003;349(9):859–66.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  131. Millikan R, Dinney C, Swanson D, Sweeney P, Ro JY, Smith TL, Williams D, Logothetis C, et al. Integrated therapy for locally advanced bladder cancer: final report of a randomized trial of cystectomy plus adjuvant M-VAC versus cystectomy with both preoperative and postoperative M-VAC. J Clin Oncol. 2001;19(20):4005–13.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  132. Kwak C, Lee SE, Jeong IG, Ku JH. Adjuvant systemic chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. Urology. 2006;68(1):53–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  133. Lee SE, Byun SS, Park YH, Chang IH, Kim YJ, Hong SK. Adjuvant chemotherapy in the management of pT3N0M0 transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. Urol Int. 2006;77(1):22–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  134. Hellenthal NJ, Shariat SF, Margulis V, Karakiewicz PI, Roscigno M, Bolenz C, Remzi M, Weizer A, Zigeuner R, Bensalah K, Ng CK, Raman JD, Kikuchi E, Montorsi F, Oya M, Wood CG, Fernandez M, Evans CP, Koppie TM. Adjuvant chemotherapy for high risk upper tract urothelial carcinoma: results from the Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Collaboration. J Urol. 2009;182(3):900–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  135. Bamias A, Deliveliotis C, Fountzilas G, Gika D, Anagnostopoulos A, Zorzou MP, Kastritis E, Constantinides C, Kosmidis P, Dimopoulos MA. Adjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with advanced carcinoma of the upper urinary tract: a study by the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group. J Clin Oncol. 2004;22(11):2150–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  136. Igawa M, Urakami S, Shiina H, Kishi H, Himeno Y, Ishibe T, Kadena H, Usui T. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced urothelial cancer of the upper urinary tract. Urol Int. 1995;55(2):74–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Urology, Sophia Gordon Cancer Center, Lahey Clinic Medical Center, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA, 01805, USA

    Jason R. Gee M.D.

Authors
  1. Jason R. Gee M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jason R. Gee M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Institute of Urology, Lahey Clinic, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, 01805, Massachusetts, USA

    John A Libertino

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Gee, J.R. (2013). Surgical Management for Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Upper Tract. In: Libertino, J. (eds) Renal Cancer. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7236-0_22

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7236-0_22

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-7235-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-7236-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation