Ureteral Metastasis: Uncommon Manifestation in Prostate Cancer

Ureteral metastasis from a primary prostate cancer is a rare event in the initial diagnosis and progression of prostate cancer. We report here the case of a 72- year-old patient who was treated for castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer involving bone, intra-abdominal lymph nodes, bilateral adrenal glands, and a small distal ureteral lesion with left hydronephrosis considered in remission, with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog plus abiraterone acetate (AA) and prednisone after initial docetaxel plus prednisone chemotherapy. After an episode of acute left flank pain, the previous left distal intraluminal ureteral mass appeared increased in volume on computed tomographic scan and was compatible with either a metastasis from prostate cancer, transitional cell carcinoma of the ureter, or a collision tumor. After left nephroureterectomy (NU), the mass was confirmed to be of prostatic origin on histopathological examination and the only site of metastatic progression of prostate cancer. Abdominal CT-scan and the operative specimen of the NU showed no direct extension of the abdominal lymph nodes into the ureteral lesion. We speculate that this unique ureteral prostate cancer metastasis was the result of hematogenic spread of prostate cancer, although microscopic spread through the lymphatic system could not be excluded. The transient anti-tumor effect of AA plus prednisone at the level of ureteral metastasis, as far as we are aware of, has never been documented before.

Urethral carcinoma and hyperplasia in male and female B6C3F1 mice treated with 3,3',4,4'-tetrachloroazobenzene (TCAB)

B6C3F1 mice chronically exposed to 3,3',4,4'-tetrachloroazobenzene (TCAB), a contaminant of dichloroaniline-derived herbicides, developed a number of neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions, including carcinoma of the urinary tract. Groups of fifty male and fifty female B6C3F1 mice were exposed by gavage to TCAB at dose levels of 0, 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg five days a week for two years. Control animals received corn oil:acetone (99:1) vehicle. Decreased survival of male mice in the mid-dose group and of male and female mice in the high-dose groups was related mainly to the occurrence of urethral transitional cell (urothelial) carcinoma and resulting urinary obstruction. Increased urethral transitional cell carcinomas were seen in all treated male groups in a dose-related manner as well as in the females treated with 30 mg/kg TCAB. Administration of TCAB was also associated with increased transitional cell hyperplasia of the urethra. Most nonneoplastic lesions of the urogenital tract were considered secondary to local invasion and urinary obstruction by the urethral transitional cell carcinomas. The mechanism of tumor induction is uncertain, but the high frequency of tumors in the proximal urethra of male mice suggests that the neoplasms result from the exposure of a susceptible population of urothelial cells to a carcinogenic metabolite of TCAB.

First experimental demonstration of the multipotential carcinogenic effects of aspartame administered in the feed to Sprague-Dawley rats

The Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center of the European Ramazzini Foundation has conducted a long-term bioassay on aspartame (APM), a widely used artificial sweetener. APM was administered with feed to 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats (100-150/sex/group), at concentrations of 100,000, 50,000, 10,000, 2,000, 400, 80, or 0 ppm. The treatment lasted until natural death, at which time all deceased animals underwent complete necropsy. Histopathologic evaluation of all pathologic lesions and of all organs and tissues collected was routinely performed on each animal of all experimental groups. The results of the study show for the first time that APM, in our experimental conditions, causes a) an increased incidence of malignant-tumor-bearing animals with a positive significant trend in males (p < or = 0.05) and in females (p < or = 0.01), in particular those females treated at 50,000 ppm (p < or = 0.01); b) an increase in lymphomas and leukemias with a positive significant trend in both males (p < or = 0.05) and females (p < or = 0.01), in particular in females treated at doses of 100,000 (p < or = 0.01), 50,000 (p < or = 0.01), 10,000 (p < or = 0.05), 2,000 (p < or = 0.05), or 400 ppm (p < or = 0.01); c) a statistically significant increased incidence, with a positive significant trend (p < or = 0.01), of transitional cell carcinomas of the renal pelvis and ureter and their precursors (dysplasias) in females treated at 100,000 (p < or = 0.01), 50,000 (p < or = 0.01), 10,000 (p < or = 0.01), 2,000 (p < or = 0.05), or 400 ppm (p < or = 0.05); and d) an increased incidence of malignant schwannomas of peripheral nerves with a positive trend (p < or = 0.05) in males. The results of this mega-experiment indicate that APM is a multipotential carcinogenic agent, even at a daily dose of 20 mg/kg body weight, much less than the current acceptable daily intake. On the basis of these results, a reevaluation of the present guidelines on the use and consumption of APM is urgent and cannot be delayed.

Urothelial malignant disease and Chinese herbal nephropathy

We have previously reported occurrence of a specific type of nephropathy due to ingestion of Chinese herbs (Chinese herbal nephropathy [CHN]) in two patients in the UK. These cases highlighted the role of aristolochic acid in causing this nephropathy, which was first described in a Belgian cohort. We now report development of invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary tract associated with the presence of aristolochic acid-DNA adducts in one of these patients. This work clearly shows the carcinogenic potential of aristolochic acid in this new type of nephropathy.

[Analgesics and laxatives as risk factors for cancer in the efferent urinary tract--results of the Berlin Urothelial Carcinoma Study]

A retrospective case-control study (1990-1995), the Berlin Urothelial Cancer Study (BUS), examined analgesics and laxatives as risks for the induction of urothelial cancer in renal pelvis, ureter and bladder. Especially for renal pelvis cancer could observe substance and dose specific risk of compound analgesics. The analgesic substances Phenacetin, Paracetamol, Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and Pyrazolones were assessed. Besides a risk of contact laxatives (chemical or anthranoide ingredients) for urothelial cancer was found, not yet described. The highest risk shows the anthranoide plant Senna. Thus this study confirms the risk of specific analgesic ingredients and found an evidence for a new risk of contact laxatives. As both, analgesics and contact laxatives, are typical OTC--("Over the counter") products, a severe controlling is demanded and for laxatives further studies are needed.

Urothelial lesions in Chinese-herb nephropathy

Rapidly progressive renal fibrosis after a slimming regimen including Chinese herbs containing aristolochic acid (AA) has been identified as Chinese-herb nephropathy (CHN). We reported urothelial atypia in three patients with CHN, with the subsequent development in one patient of overt transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). Therefore, it was decided to remove the native kidneys, as well as the ureters, in all patients with CHN. Nineteen kidneys and ureters removed during and/or after renal transplantation from 10 patients were studied to assess critically urothelial lesions and to characterize the cellular expression of p53, a tumor-suppressor gene overexpressed in several types of malignancies. Multifocal high-grade flat TCC in situ (carcinoma in situ; CiS) was observed, mainly in the upper urinary tract, in four patients, a prevalence of 40%. In one of those patients, a superficially invasive flat TCC of the right upper ureter, as well as two additional foci of noninvasive papillary TCC, were found in the right pelvis and left lower ureter, respectively. This patient also presented recurrent noninvasive papillary TCC of the bladder. Furthermore, in all cases, multifocal, overall moderate atypia was found in the medullary collecting ducts, pelvis, and ureter. All CiS and papillary TCC, as well as urothelial atypia, overexpressed p53. These results show that the intake of Chinese herbs containing AA has a dramatic carcinogenic effect. Carcinogenesis is associated with the overexpression of p53, which suggests a role for a p53 gene mutation. The relationship of this mutation with the reported presence of AA DNA adducts in the kidney remains to be explored.

Transitional cell carcinoma in renal transplant recipients: the influence of compound analgesics

OBJECTIVES

To determine the incidence of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in a renal transplant population and to compare the pattern of neoplasia in patients with analgesic nephropathy (AN) with that in other patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Using the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry, renal transplant recipients of the Princess Alexandra Hospital with TCC were identified. They were separated into two groups based on their primary disease, i.e. AN (group 1) and other causes of renal failure (group 2). The age at diagnosis of TCC, site, grade, stage of TCC and outcome were then compared between the groups.

RESULTS

There were 250 (15%) patients in group 1 and 1424 (85%) in group 2; seven patients in each group were found to have TCC, which thus occurred more frequently in the AN group (2.8%) than in group 2 (0.49%). In group 1, five patients died, four from metastatic disease; of these, the mean time from transplantation to diagnosis of the initial tumour was 4.4 years, with a mean time from diagnosis to death of 9 months. In contrast, there were no deaths from metastatic disease in group 2. In group 1, all patients had upper tract tumours, with five patients also having bladder involvement. The upper tract tumours tended to be of a high stage and grade (grade II-III) and were aggressive. In group 2, all the tumours were confined to the bladder and tended to be of low stage and grade (grade I-II Ta).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing renal transplantation as a result of AN are at high risk of developing TCCs of the upper urinary tracts. These tumours tend to be of a high grade and stage and the patients have a poor outcome. Screening with urine analysis and voided urine cytology do not appear to be reliable for the early diagnosis of upper renal tract TCCs in the renal transplant patient. We advocate annual cystoscopy and retrograde ureteric catheterization with washings, brushings and radiological imaging to diagnose upper tract TCCs at an early stage. These patients should also be screened before transplantation using the same technique.

Analgesics and cancers of the renal pelvis and ureter

To evaluate renal pelvis and ureter (RPU) cancer risk in relation to lifetime use of analgesics, a population-based case-control study was carried out in 3 areas of the United States. Among 502 cases and 496 controls diagnosed and interviewed during 1983-1986, no significant increases in risk were found for any of the non-prescription and prescription analgesics evaluated or among regular users of phenacetin, acetaminophen or aspirin. Neither cumulative lifetime ingestion nor duration of regular use of these 3 drugs, whether alone or in combination, was associated with significantly increased risk of RPU cancer, although a slight excess was observed among long-term users of acetaminophen. Risk was not increased among persons reporting highest cumulative dose and/or longest duration of phenacetin use. Although our study of RPU cancer is the largest to date, it was nonetheless limited by the small number of regular analgesic users and the relatively low response rates. Because of the relatively recent onset of widespread use of acetaminophen, its pharmacologic similarity to phenacetin, a known urothelial carcinogen, and the elevation in risk seen in long-term users, further surveillance of this analgesic is warranted.

Induction of the renal pelvic and ureteral carcinomas by N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine in SD/cShi rats with spontaneous hydronephrosis

We attempted to establish an animal model for renal pelvic and ureteral carcinomas. In Experiment 1, Sprague-Dawley (SD)/cShi and SD/gShi strains of male and female rats and Fischer-344 (F-344)/DuCrj and LEW/Crj strains of male rats, 6 wk old, were given 0.05% N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) for 12 wk and then treated without chemical for 10 wk. Only the SD/cShi strain, which has spontaneous hydronephrosis and hydroureter, showed high incidences of carcinomas in the renal pelvises and ureters, whereas the other strains did not. In Experiment 2, SD/cShi and Crj:CD strains of male and female rats, 6 wk old, were exposed to 0.05% BBN for 20 wk. Both sexes of SD/cShi rats had high incidences of bilateral carcinomas in renal pelvises and/or ureters associated with urinary bladder carcinomas, whereas both sexes of Crj:CD rats had urinary bladder tumors only. These results indicate that the SD/cShi strain may be a suitable animal for the induction of renal pelvic and ureteral carcinomas that appear to depend on urine stagnation secondary to hydronephrosis and hydroureter.

p53 mutations in phenacetin-associated human urothelial carcinomas

Chronic abuse of the analgesic drug phenacetin is associated with an increased risk of development of transitional cell carcinomas of the urinary tract. It is unclear whether phenacetin acts through chronic tissue damage (phenacetin nephropathy) or via a genotoxic metabolite causing promutagenic DNA lesions. In the present study, we investigated 15 urothelial carcinomas from 13 patients with evidence of phenacetin abuse. Tumors were screened for p53 mutations in exons 5-8 by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, followed by direct sequencing of PCR-amplified DNA. p53 Mutations were detected in 8/14 primary tumors (57%). All except one were missense mutations located in exon 5 (three mutations), exon 6 (one), exon 7 (two) and exon 8 (one). The type of mutation varied, with a preference for CpG sites. A frameshift mutation resulting from the insertion of a single cytosine at codons 151/152 was detected in a bladder tumor and its lung metastasis. Urothelial carcinomas located in the renal pelvis and in the ureter of the same patient exhibited two different mutations, strongly suggesting that they developed independently. Another patient had tumors in the renal pelvis and bladder, both of which contained the same p53 mutation, indicating intracavitary metastatic spread. This demonstrates that screening of p53 mutations allows the clonal origin of tumors in patients with multiple primary and metastatic lesions to be determined. None of the tumors investigated contained mutations in codons 12, 13 or 61 of H-ras or K-ras protooncogenes.

Polyclonal B cell lymphoma of renal transplant ureter induced by cyclosporine: case report

A case of a renal transplant patient who had polyclonal B cell lymphoma of the transplant ureter 3 months postoperatively while on cyclosporine therapy is reported. Removal of the ureteral segment along with acyclovir therapy and discontinuation of cyclosporine resulted in no subsequent tumor growth and stable renal function for more than 5 years.

[Carcinoma of the ureter after long-term use of analgesic [phenacetin derivative]--report of the two cases (spouses)]

Two cases (spouses) of carcinoma of the ureter possibly induced by long-term use of analgesic were presented. Case 1: A 66-year-old female with hematuria was diagnosed as a carcinoma of the ureter in January, 1985 and underwent resection of the left kidney and the ureter with partial resection of the urinary bladder. In December, 1988 she died due to recurrent cancer. Case 2: A 70-year-old male (a husband of case 1 patient) with hematuria was diagnosed as a carcinoma of the ureter in August, 1987 and underwent resection of the kidney and the ureter of the left side. In October, 1988 he died due to recurrent cancer. These two patients had used routinely phenacetin because of persistent headache for about 20 and 15 years, respectively and the presumed total dose was amounted to 4 and 2.5 kg, respectively.

The Copenhagen case-control study of renal pelvis and ureter cancer: role of analgesics

Analgesic intake was investigated for 96 patients with cancer of the renal pelvis and ureter (including papillomas) and 294 hospital controls. In comparison with persons who never used analgesics, increased relative risks (RR) were seen for users of phenacetin-containing drugs after adjustment for smoking and high-risk occupational exposure (men: RR = 2.4; women: RR = 4.2). A significant relative risk for aspirin use among women was also observed. There was an indication of a dose-effect relationship for both types of analgesics. The influence of phenacetin and aspirin on the development of renal pelvis and ureter tumours could not be separated since in this study the two compounds occurred so frequently in the same formulation. Experimental studies and phenacetin metabolism makes it biologically most relevant to attribute the observed association in the present study to the phenacetin component of the drugs.

Analgesics, cigarette smoking, and other risk factors for cancer of the renal pelvis and ureter

Results from a population-based case-control study of cancer of the renal pelvis and ureter are reported. Telephone interviews were conducted with 187 residents of Los Angeles County diagnosed with cancer of the renal pelvis and ureter over a 4-year period ending December 31, 1982, and with individually sex-, age- and race-matched neighborhood controls. The major risk factor identified for cancer of the renal pelvis and ureter was cigarette smoking. Subjects who smoked more than 25 years had a relative risk of 4.5 of developing these tumors, compared to nonsmokers (P less than 0.0001). Heavy use of over-the-counter analgesics was also associated with a significant increase in risk; it appears that an elevated risk was conveyed by all the major active constituents of those compounds currently marketed in the United States, aspirin, caffeine, and acetaminophen. Persons who had used these drugs for 30 consecutive days at any time in their life preceding diagnosis had twice the risk of developing cancer of the renal pelvis or ureter compared to persons not reporting such use (P less than 0.01). Heavy coffee drinkers (greater than or equal to 7 cups/day) had a 1.8-fold increase in risk compared to nondrinkers. Although risk tended to increase with increasing consumption, this result was not statistically significant. The risk associated with heavy coffee consumption was reduced to 1.3 after adjusting for smoking. Nine cases compared to no controls reported a first degree relative with kidney cancer. A history of kidney stones was associated with an increased risk of cancer of the ureter (relative risk = 2.5) that was not, however, statistically significant.

Ureteral tumor with multiple Bowen's disease forty-two years after exposure to arsenic

We report a case of ureteral tumor associated with Bowen's disease in a 67-year-old man. The patient has a history of occupational exposure to arsenic 42 years before. Arsenic produces multiple cancers and these cancers are characterized by a long period of latency.

Evidence for cyclophosphamide-induced transitional cell carcinoma in a renal transplant patient

Cyclophosphamide treatment has been associated with bladder cancer in a number of case reports but no causal relationship has been proved since nearly all of these patients were treated with the drug for malignant disease. We describe a patient who received cyclophosphamide after cadaveric renal transplantation to prevent rejection. Transitional cell carcinoma developed in the native bladder and in the donor transplanted ureter (20-year-old donor) 13 years later despite no identifiable risk factors. This case strengthens the argument that cyclophosphamide has a carcinogenic potential on the urinary tract epithelium.

Does paracetamol cause urothelial cancer or renal papillary necrosis?

The risk of developing renal papillary necrosis or cancer of the renal pelvis, ureter or bladder associated with consumption of either phenacetin or paracetamol was calculated from data acquired by questionnaire from 381 cases and 808 controls. The risk of renal papillary necrosis was increased nearly 20-fold by consumption of phenacetin, which also increased the risk for cancer of the renal pelvis and bladder but not for ureteric cancer. By contrast, we were unable to substantiate an increased risk from paracetamol consumption for renal papillary necrosis or any of these cancers although there was a suggestion of an association with cancer of the ureter.

Upper tract urothelial malignancy after cyclophosphamide therapy: a case report and literature review

We report an unusual case of simultaneous transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and distal ureter without transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder occurring after chronic cyclophosphamide therapy for nonHodgkin's lymphoma. Other upper tract neoplasms after cyclophosphamide are reviewed.

Transitional cell tumors of the renal pelvis and ureter associated with capillarosclerosis indicating analgesic abuse

An association between transitional cell tumors (TCT) and abuse of compound analgesics has been established during the past two decades. Recently thickening of basement membranes around subepithelial capillaries, known as capillarosclerosis, has been reported as a change in the urinary tract pathognomonic for a long-standing abuse of compound analgesics. Therefore the authors reviewed pathologic and clinical data in 59 patients treated for TCT of the renal pelvis or ureter. Capillarosclerosis was found in nine cases (15%) of the TCT group but not in any of the cases selected as controls. Capillarosclerosis is suggested as a valuable marker, which always should be looked for in bladder biopsy specimens. Whenever present it should arouse suspicion of analgesic abuse, and the associated increased risk for developing TCT of the renal pelvis or ureter should be borne in mind.

Transitional cell tumors of the renal pelvis and ureter associated with capillarosclerosis indicating analgesic abuse

An association between transitional cell tumors (TCT) and abuse of compound analgesics has been established during the past two decades. Recently thickening of basement membranes around subepithelial capillaries, known as capillarosclerosis, has been reported as a change in the urinary tract pathognomonic for a long-standing abuse of compound analgesics. Therefore the authors reviewed pathologic and clinical data in 59 patients treated for TCT of the renal pelvis or ureter. Capillarosclerosis was found in nine cases (15%) of the TCT group but not in any of the cases selected as controls. Capillarosclerosis is suggested as a valuable marker, which always should be looked for in bladder biopsy specimens. Whenever present it should arouse suspicion of analgesic abuse, and the associated increased risk for developing TCT of the renal pelvis or ureter should be borne in mind.

[Pathology, diagnosis and treatment of uroepithelial tumours of the urinary tract (author's transl)]

Report on 38 patients with uroepithelial tumours of the urinary tract treated between 1969 and 1977. In 38% of the cases multiple tumours were found. The clinical parameters and diagnostic problems are discussed by means of case reports, pathology and possibilities of treatment are discussed on the basis of the own cases and the literature. In order to achieve the most favourable prognosis in this type of malignant tumour it will be necessary to be more radical in treatment and more intensive in controls after treatment and to subject the high risk groups more frequent check-ups.

Chronic interstitial nephritis as a cause of tumours of the upper urinary tract. A hypothesis

Urothelial tumours of the upper urinary tract are rare, but their incidence increases in subjects suffering from phenacetin nephropathy, Balkan nephropathy and infected pyelic calculi. In order to act on the urothelium through the urinary way, a cancerigenic substance must (1) be eliminated with the urine; (2) be absorbed by the urothelium; (3) remain in the tissue for a certain length of time. Any situation leading to a prolongation of intra-tissue stasis favours the action of carcerigenic substances. The hypothesis is put forward that interstitial nephritis, by impeding the reabsorption from the pelvis by pyelo-lymphatic reflux and by making more difficult the lymphatic drainage of the pyelic and ureter walls, leads to a condition favouring carcinogensis, especially if the subject is exposed to contact with even not very active carcinogens. It is possible to foresee that in future the incidence of upper urinary tract tumours should increase in chronic uraemic patients under dialytic treatment and in transplant patients.

Tumours of urinary bladder and ureter associated with abuse of phenacetin-containing analgesics

Forty-two patients with a bladder tumour and 4 patients with a ureteral tumour and a history of abuse of phenacetin-containing analgesics were studied. The sex ratio was 1:1, and the mean age 63 years. The estimated amount of ingested phenacetin was 7.1 kg, the estimated mean exposure time 21 years, and the estimated mean induction time 30 years. Renal papillary necrosis and impaired renal function were found in 34 patients. A history of recurrent urinary tract infection was found in 80 per cent of the patients, suggesting that the combination of phenacetin-abuse and chronic inflammation might be responsible for the localization of the tumours to the bladder. The majority of the bladder tumours were of low grade (1 and 2); muscular invasion was seldom found and metastases were rare. The patients were followed for 1.5-13 years. Twenty-six patients died; the mean survival time was 46 months. Uremia due to analgesic nephropathy was the main cause of death in 14 patients and contributed to death in another 7 patients. Three of the patients with ureteral tumours had received radiological treatment against the pelvic region, 15-20 years prior to the diagnosis of the ureteral tumour.

Analgesic abuse, renal parenchymal disease and carcinoma of the kidney or ureter

In a consecutive series of 88 cases of carcinoma of the kidney and upper urinary tract seen at one hospital, 31 had malignant urothelial tumours of the renal pelvis or ureter. Forty-two per cent of these transitional-cell carcinomas occurred in patients with renal papillary necrosis following upon prolonged and heavy analgesic ingestion. Other possible aetiological factors were heavy cigarette smoking (61% of cases), long standing urinary obstruction or infection (23%) and possible occupational exposure (6%); in only four cases (13%) was there no identifiable aetiological factor. Those cases with analgesic nephropathy were characterised by renal functional impairment, hypertension and interstitial nephritis, but there was no difference in the clinical behaviour or pathological appearances of the tumours in the two groups. The clinical and experimental evidence that certain metabolites of phenacetin are carcinogenic is reviewed.

[Hypernephroid carcinoma and carcinoma of the urinary tract following phenacetin abuse]

From the 24 683 autopsies performed at the Institute of Pathology of Zurich University from 1963 to 1973, all cases with hypernephroid carcinoma or carcinoma of the urinary tract were listed. For each type of carcinoma the extent of phenacetin abuse, the sex and the mean age of the patients were established. The positive relationship between phenacetin abuse and carcinoma of the renal pelvis and the urinary bladder confirms the results of other investigators. In addition, a relationship between phenacetin abuse and hypernephroid carcinoma is discussed.