Long-term follow-up and outcomes of percutaneous nephron-sparing surgery for upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is uncommon, accounting for 5%-10% of all urothelial carcinomas. Current standard of care for localized disease consists of radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) which leads to loss of half the patient's functioning nephrons. Percutaneous nephron-sparing surgery (PCNSS) is an alternative minimally-invasive approach in selected cases where nephron preservation is desired. The long-term outcomes of this procedure at a single center are described.

METHODS

All patients undergoing PCNSS, with the operation carried out by a single surgeon, were included. Equipment used was a standard 26Ch resectoscope through a 30Ch Amplatz sheath, with all patients receiving postoperative intrapelvic Mitomycin. Data for each patient were collected on patient age; tumor size at diagnosis; grade; stage; oncological recurrence; requirement for subsequent RNU; and overall survival. Primary outcomes were disease recurrence and overall mortality, and secondary outcome was rate of subsequent RNU.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients in total underwent PCNSS, 14 were diagnosed with UTUC; benign leiomyoma was proven in one patient and excluded from final analysis. Overall survival at 5 and 10 years was 92.9% and 78.6%, respectively, with disease-specific mortality at 10 years of 7.1% (one patient who developed metastatic carcinoma); 21.4% of patients had recurrent ipsilateral UTUC and all required subsequent RNU for this indication. No patients had seeding of the percutaneous tract.

CONCLUSION

PCNSS for UTUC is a feasible approach to consider in carefully selected patients who agree to intensive follow-up, even for higher grade tumors. Where recurrent UTUC occurs, further management options still exist for disease treatment.