Surgical Management of Upper Tract Transitional Cell Carcinoma

Authors:
Alison M. LakeFrom the University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Search for other papers by Alison M. Lake in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 MD
and
William W. RobertsFrom the University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Search for other papers by William W. Roberts in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 MD
Full access

Upper tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) accounts for approximately 5% of urothelial tumors. Surgical therapy for upper tract TCC is based on tumor grade, stage, location, and confounding factors of individual cases. Options for treatment range from minimally invasive procedures, such as ureteroscopy, to open nephroureterectomy. Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy is progressively eclipsing open nephroureterectomy in the surgical management of upper tract TCC. This article discusses the surgical options for managing upper tract TCC and their considerations for use.

Correspondence: Alison M. Lake, MD, University of Michigan Health System, TC 3879, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. E-mail: alilake@med.umich.edu
  • Collapse
  • Expand
  • 1.

    Ho KL, Chow GK. Ureteroscopic resection of upper-tract transitional-cell carcinoma. J Endourol 2005;19:841848.

  • 2.

    Chen GL, Bagley DH. Ureteroscopic surgery for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma: complications and management. J Endourol 2001;15:399404.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 3.

    Kerbl K, Clayman RV. Incision of the ureterovesical junction for endoscopic surveillance of transitional cell cancer of the upper urinary tract. J Urol 1993;150:14401443.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 4.

    Lam JS, Gupta M. Ureteroscopic management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma. Urol Clin North Am 2004;31:115128.

  • 5.

    Keeley FX Jr, Bibbo M, Bagley DG. Ureteroscopic treatment and surveillance of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. J Urol 1997;157:15601565.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 6.

    Martinez-Pineiro JA, Garcia Matres MJ, Martinez-Pineiro L. Endourological treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinomas: analysis of a series of 59 tumors. J Urol 1996;156:377385.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 7.

    Elliott DS, Segura JW, Lightner D et al.. 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;58:174178.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 8.

    Kulp DA, Bagley DH. Does flexible ureteropyeloscopy promote local recurrence of transitional cell carcinoma? J Endourol 1994;8:111113.

  • 9.

    Hendin BN, Streem SB, Levin HS et al.. Impact of diagnostic ureteroscopy on long-term survival in patients with upper tract transitional cell carcinoma. J Urol 1999;161:783785.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 10.

    Boorjian S, Ng C, Munver R et al.. Impact of delay to nephroureterectomy for patients undergoing ureteroscopic biopsy and laser tumor ablation of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma. Urology 2005;66:283287.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 11.

    Gerber GS, Lyon ES. Endourological management of upper tract urothelial tumors. J Urol 1993;150:27.

  • 12.

    Huang A, Low RK, deVere White R. Nephrostomy tract tumor seeding following percutaneous manipulation of a ureteral carcinoma. J Urol 1995;153:10411042.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 13.

    Clayman RV, Kavoussi LR, Figenshau RS et al.. Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy: initial clinical case report. J Laparoendosc Surg 1991;1:343349.

  • 14.

    Wong C, Leveillee RJ. Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with cystoscopic en bloc excision of the distal ureter and bladder cuff. J Endurol 2002;16:329332.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 15.

    Kurzer E, Leveillee RJ, Bird VG. Combining hand assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with cystoscopic circumferential excision of the distal ureter without primary closure of the bladder cuff—is it safe? J Urol 2006;175:6367.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 16.

    McDougall EM, Clayman RV, Elashry O. Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper tract transitional cell cancer: the Washington University experience. J Urol 1995;154:975979.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 17.

    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.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 18.

    Hetherington JW, Ewing R, Philp NH. Modified nephroureterectomy: a risk of tumour implantation. Br J Urol 1986;58:368370.

  • 19.

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

  • 20.

    Laguna MP, de la Rosette JJ. The endoscopic approach to the distal ureter in nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract tumor. J Urol 2001;166:20172022.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 21.

    Tan BJ, Ost MC, Lee BR. Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with bladder-cuff resection: techniques and outcomes. J Endourol 2005;19:664676.

  • 22.

    Matin SF, Gill IS. Recurrence and survival following laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy with various forms of bladder cuff control. J Urol 2005;173:395400.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 23.

    Rassweiler JJ, Schulze M, Marrero R et al.. Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma: is it better than open surgery? Eur Urol 2004;46:690697.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 24.

    Sagalowsky AI, Jarrett TW. Management of urothelial tumors of the renal pelvis and ureter. In: Walsh PC, Retik AD, Vaughan Ed, et al., eds. Campbell's Urology, 8th ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 2002:2851.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 25.

    Komatsu H, Tanabe N, Kubodera S et al.. The role of lymphadenectomy in transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. J Urol 1997;157:16221624.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 26.

    Stein JP, Skinner DG. The role of lymphadenectomy in high-grade invasive bladder cancer. Urol Clin North Am 2005;32:187197.

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 141 37 5
PDF Downloads 56 12 1
EPUB Downloads 0 0 0