Endourological treatment of transitional cell tumours of the upper urinary tract

Abstract

— 30 patients with transitional cell tumour of the upper urinary tract (TCTUT) underwent endourological treatment in our Institute in the last 10 years. 8 patients were submitted to percutaneous electroresection of a tumour of the renal pelvis, which was followed in 4 of them by endocavitary chemo or immunotherapy. The remaining 22 patients with tumour involving the renal pelvis (2 cases), the ureter (18 cases) and both the renal pelvis and the ureter (2 cases) were treated using electroresection, forceps removal or laser irradiation during transurethral ureterorenoscopy. The 5-year disease-free survival rate (DFS) was 27% and appeared to be lower than that of a comparable series of patients who underwent conservative open surgery. Moreover 5-year DFS was significantly higher for the patients with tumours of the renal pelvis compared to those with tumours of the pelvic ureter. Our experience confirms the feasibility of the endourological approach to TCTUT in selected cases. A rigid follow-up is suggested for the patients with a tumour involving the pelvic ureter.