ObjectivesTo identify risk factors and develop a model for predicting recurrence of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) in the bladder in patients without a history of bladder cancer after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).
Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 754 patients with UTUC without prior or concurrent bladder cancer or distant metastasis at 13 institutions in Japan. Univariate and multivariate Fine and Gray competing risks proportional hazards models were used to examine the cumulative incidence of bladder recurrence of UTUC. A risk stratification model and a nomogram were constructed. Two prediction models were compared using the concordance index (c-index) focusing on predictive accuracy and decision-curve analysis, which indicate whether a model is appropriate for decision-making and determining subsequent patient prognosis.
ResultsThe cumulative incidence rates of bladder UTUC recurrence at 1 and 5 years were 15 and 29%, respectively; the median time to bladder UTUC recurrence was 10 months.Multivariate analysis showed that papillary tumour architecture, absence of lymphovascular invasion and higher pathological T stage were both predictive factors for bladder cancer recurrence. The predictive accuracy of the risk stratification model and the nomogram for bladder cancer recurrence were not different (c-index: 0.60 and 0.62). According to the decision-curve analysis, the risk stratification was an acceptable model because the net benefit of the risk stratification was equivalent to that of the nomogram. The overall cumulative incidence rates of bladder cancer 5 years after RNU were 10, 26 and 44% in the low-, intermediate-and high-risk groups, respectively.
ConclusionsWe identified risk factors and developed a risk stratification model for UTUC recurrence in the bladder after RNU. This model could be used to provide both an individualised strategy to prevent recurrence and a risk-stratified surveillance protocol.
Keywordsupper tract urothelial carcinoma, radical nephroureterectomy, bladder recurrence
Abbreviations & Acronyms CI = confidence interval CSS = cancer-specific survival DUx = distal ureterectomy EAU = European Association of Urology eGFR = estimated glomerular filtration rate HR = hazard ratio NCCN = National Comprehensive Cancer Network NUx = nephroureterectomy RFS = recurrence-free survival UC = urothelial carcinoma UUT-UC = upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma Objectives: To investigate the oncological and functional outcome of distal ureterectomy compared with nephroureterectomy in the management of distal ureteral urothelial carcinoma. Methods: Using a database including upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma patients (n = 1329), 282 patients were identified with urothelial carcinoma localized in the distal ureter on clinical evaluation. To adjust for potential baseline differences between groups, 43 patients undergoing distal ureterectomy were matched with 86 patients undergoing nephroureterectomy using propensity scoring. Cox regression models tested the effect of surgery type on recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was measured before and after surgery. Results: The median follow-up period was 50 months. There were no significant differences in 5-year recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival rates between the distal ureterectomy and nephroureterectomy groups (P = 0.22 and P = 0.70, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that surgery type was not associated with recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival (P = 0.90 and P = 0.28, respectively). In the subanalysis, recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival in the distal ureterectomy group were equivalent to those of the nephroureterectomy group in both pTa-1 and pT2-4 patients. Renal function was better preserved in the distal ureterectomy group than in the nephroureterectomy group (rate of change in estimated glomerular filtration rate 2% vs −20%; P < 0.001).
Conclusions:The oncological outcome of distal ureterectomy is comparable with that of nephroureterectomy in distal ureteral urothelial carcinoma patients, and distal ureterectomy provides better preservation of renal function. Distal ureterectomy would be feasible for carefully selected patients with distal ureteral urothelial carcinoma.
This preliminary study revealed that our criteria of LUTS severity for GPs were useful to determine whether the elderly patients should be treated or not. It is necessary to examine the validity of the criteria in a model in which GPs participate.
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