Nephron-sparing management (distal ureterectomy with reimplantation of ureter) for carcinoma of distal ureter: A single center experience

Abstract Objective Radical nephroureterectomy with bladder-cuff excision has been the traditional treatment for upper tract urothelial carcinoma because of its high rate of recurrence. However, given the morbidity of nephrectomy and the risk of developing chronic kidney disease or dialysis-dependent renal failure, the nephron-sparing approach may be preferable in selected patients. Materials and methods A total of 118 patients who received unilateral distal ureterectomy with reimplantation at a single center in Taiwan were included, using surgical code numbers, from March 2006 to December 2014. A total of 82 patients were excluded due to nonmalignancy and 17 due to concomitant bladder cancer. Finally, 19 patients with primary, solitary, unilateral ureter lesions and confirmed to have ureter malignancy (urothelial carcinoma, n  = 18; squamous cell carcinoma, n  = 1) were included. Results Of the 19 patients (13 males and 6 females) included, the mean age was 69.3 ± 10.7 years. Tumor pathological staging was Tis ( n  = 1), Ta ( n  = 3), T1 ( n  = 2), T2 ( n  = 6), and T3 ( n  = 5). Histopathology grading was low grade ( n  = 3) and high grade ( n  = 13). No local recurrence was noted; nine patients had bladder recurrence (47.4%), three had distant metastasis (15.8%), and two had progression and finally underwent radical nephroureterectomy (10.5%). The mean time to bladder recurrence was 12.4 months (3–24 months); the mean follow-up time was 28.1 months (1–90 months). The 5-year overall survival rate was 73.7% (14/19); four patients were lost to follow-up, and one patient expired. The mean 5-year progression-free survival was 67.74%. The mean preoperative creatinine level was 1.61 mg/dL, and at 12 months after operation it was 1.56 mg/dL ( p  = 0.95). Conclusion In selected patients, distal ureterectomy with reimplantation, in our experience, is a feasible option for distal ureter tumor. Favorable postoperative outcomes with a low local recurrence rate, a low rate of progression to nephroureterectomy, and renal function preservation may prove the value of this modality and should be taken into consideration in suitable patients.