Purpose: We determined the immediate and long-term results of endoscopic management of upper tract transitional cell in regard to rates of tumor recurrence and preservation of renal function.
Materials and methods: From January 1990 to July 1999, 61 patients (mean age 66.2 years) underwent endoscopic management of upper tract cell carcinoma. Of the patients 20 (32%) had a solitary kidney. Tumors were resected in a one time procedure by ureteroscopy only in 31.5%, by percutaneous nephroscopy in 29% or both in 8%; multiple treatment was necessary in 31.5% of cases using percutaneous nephroscopy only.
Results: Immediate nephrectomy was done in six cases for high grade (three patients), insufficient local control (two cases) or patient's choices (one case). There were six cases of benign tumors excluded from survival Kaplan Meier analysis. With a mean follow-up of 39.9 months, the rate of kidney preservation, recurrence free rate, global survival and specific survival rates were, respectively, 81%, 68%, 77%, and 84%.
Conclusions: Nephron sparing percutaneous management of upper tract cell carcinoma is applicable in a significant number of patients with a filling defect of upper urinary tract TCC. In carefully selected patients the results are at least comparable to other forms of management of tumor control and preservation of renal function.