Clinicopathological spectrum and the outcome of treatment of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma

INTRODUCTION: Disease spectrum of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in Indian patients is not known. Herein, we present data on clinical presentation, pathological characteristics, and the outcome of treatment of upper tract TCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinicopathological data of patients who were diagnosed for upper tract TCC between January 2000 and January 2010 were collected from the hospital information system and case records. Preoperative diagnosis was based on contrast-enhanced computerized tomography of the whole abdomen and urine cytology. Cross tab and logistic regression analysis was done on the effect of various clinicopathological characteristics on the outcome and cancer-specific and recurrence survival were derived. RESULTS: There were total 40 patients, 35 (87.5%) of them were male. The mean age was 62.7 ± 7.9 years. The most common symptom was gross hematuria present in 30 (75%). Mean tumor size was 2.8 ± 1.2 cm. Median duration of follow up was 36 (12 to 100) months. Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy was done in 27 patients along with bladder cuff excision and seven patients underwent open surgery. Thirty two (88.8%) patients had invasive T stage and high-grade lesions were seen in 24 (66.6%). Lymphovascular invasion was found only in one case and necrosis in 30 (83.3%). Necrosis was found to be the poor prognostic factor. Five-year recurrence-free and cancer-specific survivals were 36.33% and 26%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients with upper tract TCC present very late with a high-stage disease and a very low 5-year cancer-specific and recurrence-free survivals.