Urinary Endometriosis Misdiagnosed as Ureteral Malignant Tumor by PET/CT: A Case Study

ABSTRACT

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory estrogen-dependent benign disease. It is defined as the endometrium growing outside the uterine cavity and the myometrium. It usually has low FDG uptake but rarely occurs in the ureters. We reported a case of a 47-year-old woman's left ureteral nodule originally misdiagnosed as a ureteral malignant tumor by PET/CT and finally pathologically confirmed as endometriosis.

FDG PET/CT in a Case of Lynch Syndrome With Synchronous Inverted Urothelial Papilloma of the Bladder, Urothelial Carcinoma of the Ureter, and Jejunal Adenocarcinoma

ABSTRACT

A 64-year-old man was referred because of the right ureteral obstruction. CT urography showed an intraluminal enhancing mass in the right midureter and an enhancing nodule in the bladder wall. FDG PET/CT showed increased FDG uptake of the ureteral mass and an unexpected hypermetabolic lesion in the jejunum. The patient underwent transurethral resection of the bladder tumor, right laparoscopic nephroureterectomy, and partial enterectomy. Inverted urothelial papilloma of the bladder, high-grade urothelial carcinoma of the right ureter, and jejunal adenocarcinoma were confirmed by histopathology. Genetic testing of the jejunal adenocarcinoma revealed MSH2 germline mutation, confirming the diagnosis of Lynch syndrome.

Contemporary patterns of presentation, diagnostics and management of upper tract urothelial cancer in 101 centres: the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society Global upper tract urothelial carcinoma registry

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To assess patterns of presentation, diagnostics and treatment in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), a multicentre registry was launched. Clinical data of UTUC patients were prospectively collected over a 5-year period.

RECENT FINDINGS

Data from 2380 patients were included from 2014 to 2019 (101 centres in 29 countries). Patients were predominantly male (70.5%) and 53.3% were past or present smokers. The majority of patients (58.1%) were evaluated because of symptoms, mainly macroscopic hematuria. Computed tomography (CT) was the most common performed imaging modality (90.5%). A ureteroscopy (URS) was part of the diagnostic process in 1184 (49.7%) patients and 488 (20.5%) patients were treated endoscopically. In total, 1430 patients (60.1%) were treated by a radical nephroureterectomy, 59% without a prior diagnostic URS. Eighty-two patients (3.4%) underwent a segmental resection, 19 patients (0.8%) were treated by a percutaneous tumour resection.

SUMMARY

Our data is in line with the known epidemiologic characteristics of UTUC. CT imaging is the preferred imaging modality as also recommended by guidelines. Diagnostic URS gained a stronger position, however, in almost half of patients a definitive treatment decision was made without complete endoscopic information. Only one-third of patients with UTUC are currently treated with kidney sparing surgery.

Robotic nephroureterectomy in a horseshoe kidney for upper tract urothelial carcinoma

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma represents a small proportion (5%-10%) of all urothelial cancers. Although there are several management options, in undifferentiated or high-risk cases, surgery in the form of nephroureterectomy is the gold standard. Horseshoe kidney is the most common congenital renal fusion anomaly affecting 1 in 400-600 patients. We present the case of a smoker in her mid-50s with an incidental finding of a papillary lesion in the right renal pelvis of her horseshoe kidney on CT scan. She went on to have endoscopic assessment confirming no other foci of disease. She was definitively managed with a robotic nephroureterectomy.

Mysterious visitor in the bladder: Ureteral fibroepithelial polyp

We present a unique case with a ureteral fibroepithelial tumor originating from the ureter, which could be confused with a bladder tumor on ultrasound examination due to its movement in and out of the bladder. METHODS: In cystoscopy, a papillary tumor lesion emerging from the right ureteral orifice was seen. After scanning the other quadrants, however, the tumor was not observed at the right ureteral orifice. It was then protruded back into the bladder. The tumor was seen several times to protrude into the bladder and return to the ureter, possibly due to ureteral peristalsis. Then, a semi-rigid ureteroscope was introduced through the right ureteric orifice, and the tumor was excised in one piece using Holmium laser fiber with 365μm of diameter. The size of the removed tumor was approximately 8 cm long. A double-j stent of 4.8 Fr was placed in the ureter. RESULTS: The patient was discharged on the first day without complications. The fibroepithelial polyps of the ureter, which consist of the stroma of mesoderm origin, covered with histologically normal or hyperplastic urothelial epithelial cells, are extremely rare tumors. It is important to distinguish these polyps from urothelial cancers, since these two entities are different in treatment and prognosis, although similar in symptoms and imaging procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive treatment techniques can be safely applied in the treatment of such exceedingly rare tumors.

Volumetric imaging: a potential tool to stage upper tract urothelial carcinoma

PURPOSE

To investigate whether volumetric imaging of tumor vasculature can be used to phenotypically characterize advanced upper tract urothelial carcinoma, and if this technique can distinguish aggressive invasive tumors from non-aggressive superficial ones.

METHODS

In a pilot study, two TaG1 and two T3G3 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor samples were examined using the DIPCO pipeline (Tanaka et al. in Nature Biomed Eng 1(10):796-806. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41551-017-0139-0 , 2017). Briefly, punch biopsies of FFPE tumors were deparaffinized, cleared, immunolabeled with the vessel marker CD34 and imaged with a light-sheet microscope. Thereafter, the three-dimensional (3D) vasculature of the tumors was analyzed and characterized using a specialized image processing software.

RESULTS

We found that T3G3 tumors had increased CD34 density kurtosis and skewness compared to TaG1 tumors. This suggests that analysis of the 3D vasculature can distinguish between high-grade invasive and low-grade superficial tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Volumetric imaging of tumor samples may represent novel methodology that can complement conventional histopathology. Volumetric imaging enabled us to differentiate between invasive and non-invasive upper tract urothelial carcinoma. The method is of particular interest in diagnostic work-up of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma as previous findings indicate that volumetric imaging of vascular patterns could be used to differentiate superficial and invasive urothelial carcinoma, irrespective of if the tumor sample was deep or superficial. However, further and more extensive studies are required before this method can be applied clinically.

Primary carcinosarcoma of the ureteropelvic junction associated with ureteral duplication: A case report

RATIONALE

Primary carcinosarcoma of the upper urinary tract is rare. Ureteral duplication is one of the most common urinary tract malformations. Additionally, the association between ureteral duplication and malignancy is unknown. To the best of our knowledge, no cases of malignant tumors diagnosed as carcinosarcoma with ureteral duplication have been reported. We herein report the case of a patient with carcinosarcoma of the ureteropelvic junction associated with incomplete ureteral duplication.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 60-year-old Japanese woman presented with painless gross hematuria. She had a history of total hysterectomy and chemotherapy for endometrioid carcinoma 5 years before. She had no history of occupational chemical exposure.

DIAGNOSES

Radiographic imaging revealed right incomplete ureteral duplication, hydronephrosis, and a polypoid tumor in the ureteropelvic junction of the lower moiety of the right kidney. Urine cytology showed a small amount of degenerated atypical epithelial and nonepithelial cells. The transureteral biopsy specimen showed dysplastic urothelial cells and atypical myoid spindle cells. These findings were indefinite for malignancy.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent right nephroureterectomy. Pathological examination of the resected tumor showed a biphasic neoplasm composed of carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. The sarcomatous component was immunohistochemically positive for vimentin, desmin, h-caldesmon, and α-SMA and negative for pancytokeratin (AE1/AE3), low molecular weight cytokeratin (CAM 5.2), EMA, E-cadherin, GATA3, uroplakin 2, and p63. Based on these findings, we diagnosed the tumor as carcinosarcoma.

OUTCOMES

The postoperative course was uneventful. No additional therapy was administered. The patient has remained alive without recurrence for 21 months since surgery.

LESSONS

Carcinosarcoma can arise from ureteral duplication. Although the majority of carcinosarcomas of the upper urinary tract are diagnosed at an advanced stage and have a poor prognosis, some can have a less aggressive course. Further studies are needed to determine the association between ureteral duplication and malignancy.

Occurrence of second primary malignancies in patients with neuroendocrine tumors of the digestive tract: A case report

RATIONALE

There is an association between the presence of neuroendocrine neoplasms and incremented risk to develop second primary malignancies. This risk is estimated to be 17%. The most common secondary neoplasms were found in the Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary tracts.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 74-year-old Caucasian patient with melaena came to our observation in June 2015. The Esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy exam found a polypoid formation in the duodenal bulb. Histopathological examination showed a well-differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasm (G1).

DIAGNOSIS

During the follow up for the neuroendocrine neoplasm, a CT scan was performed in August 2016 describing infiltration of the right renal sinus and the third proximal ureter segment with heterogeneous enhancement of vascular structure. An US-guided biopsy was conclusive for a Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma. In October 2016, a colonoscopy showed a neoplastic lesion at 20 cm from the anal orifice. The Histology exam was positive for an adenocarcinoma with a desmoplastic stroma infiltration.

INTERVENTIONS

In November 2016, the patient underwent a left hemicolectomy: the pathologic staging described a G2 adenocarcinoma pT3N1b. In May 2018, the Octreotide scan was negative. In the same month, the patient started a treatment based on 6 cycles of Rituximab, Oxaliplatin, and Capecitabine due to the persistence of lymphomatous disease and hepatic metastases. In July 2018, other 3 cycles of the same treatment were scheduled.

OUTCOMES

In January 2019, due to an increase in liver metastases' size, it was decided to start a new regimen for the colon cancer with FOLFIRI+Cetuximab. The patient is still in treatment with this regimen in April 2019.

LESSONS

The risk of a second primary tumor is increased among patients older than 70. Therefore, it is necessary to follow them using total body CT scan and endoscopic techniques of gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts, not only for the evaluation of the neuroendocrine tumor but also for the higher risk to develop other neoplastic diseases.

[Laparoscopic segmental ureteral resection with ileal-ureter substitution for ureteral urothelial carcinoma]

Ureteral resection for the mid-ureter urothelial carcinoma is the operation of choice in patients with low-grade tumors. However, extensive excision within normal tissues may lead to difficulty in appropriate apposition of the ends of the ureter, while incomplete resection increases the risk of oncological progression. This article describes the first experience with laparoscopic segmental ureteral resection with the ileal - ureter substitution for mid-ureter urothelial carcinoma. In this case, a short non-reconfigurated segment of the ileum was interposed between the distal and proximal ends of the resected ureter. Operative time was 230 min, and blood loss was less than 100 ml. No complications were observed. The patients postoperative hospital stay was seven days. Follow-up examination 12 months after surgery showed no evidence of the disease progression and preserved normal renal function. The proposed method may be considered as an alternative treatment for carefully selected patients.

Kidney, Ureteral, and Bladder Cancer: A Primer for the Internist

Malignancies of the urinary tract (kidney, ureter, and bladder) are distinct clinical entities. Hematuria is a unifying common presenting symptom for these malignancies. Surgical management of localized disease continues to be the mainstay of treatment, and early detection is important in the prognosis of disease. Patients often require life-long follow-up and assessment for recurrence.

[PRIMARY SMALL CELL NEUROENDOCRINE CARCINOMA OF THE URETER]

Primary small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the upper urinary tract is a rare disease that is associated with a poor prognosis. An 81-year-old man was diagnosed with carcinoma of the stomach and underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy. Computed tomography (CT) revealed carcinoma of the left ureter and left hydronephrosis. The patient was diagnosed with carcinoma of the left ureter (cT2N0M0) and left laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy was performed via a retroperitoneal approach. The pathological diagnosis was left ureter carcinoma (small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, pT3). He was treated with four courses of the CE regimen (carboplatin area under the curve: 5, intravenously [IV] on day 1 and etoposide [80 mg/m²], IV on days 1-3). There is no evidence of disease at 21 months after radical nephroureterectomy.

Update of the ICUD-SIU consultation on upper tract urothelial carcinoma 2016: treatment of low-risk upper tract urothelial carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

The conservative management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) has historically been offered to patients with imperative indications. The recent International Consultation on Urologic Diseases (ICUD) publication on UTUC stratified treatment allocations based on high- and low-risk groups. This report updates the conservative management of the low-risk group.

METHODS

The ICUD for low-risk UTUC working group performed a thorough review of the literature with an assessment of the level of evidence and grade of recommendation for a variety of published studies in this disease space. We update these publications and provide a summary of that original report.

RESULTS

There are no prospective randomized controlled studies to support surgical management guidelines. A risk-stratified approach based on clinical, endoscopic, and biopsy assessment allows selection of patients who could benefit from kidney-preserving procedures with oncological outcomes potentially similar to radical nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision, with the added benefit of renal function preservation. These treatments are aided by the development of high-definition flexible digital URS, multi-biopsies with the aid of access sheaths and other tools, and promising developments in the use of adjuvant topical therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Recent developments in imaging, minimally invasive techniques, multimodality approaches, and adjuvant topical regimens and bladder cancer prevention raise the hope for improved risk stratification and may greatly improve the endoscopic treatment for low-risk UTUC.

Follow-up in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer-International Bladder Cancer Network recommendations

OBJECTIVE

Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) comprises a wide spectrum of tumors with different behaviors and prognoses. It follows that the surveillance for these tumors should be adapted according to the risks of recurrence and progression and should be dynamic in design.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Medline search was conducted from 1980 to 2016 using a combination of MeSH and keyword terms. The highest available evidence was reviewed to define different risk groups in NMIBC. The performance of different follow-up tools such as urine cytology, cystoscopy, and upper tract imaging in detecting bladder carcinoma was assessed. Different commercially available urinary markers were investigated to determine whether such markers would contribute to the surveillance of patients with NMIBC. A follow-up scheme based on the early evidence is proposed.

RESULTS

A risk-based approach is paramount. Cystoscopy and cytology are recommended to be done at 3 months following transurethral resection of bladder tumor. For low-risk tumors, annual cystoscopy alone is sufficient; no upper tract evaluations or cytology is needed except at diagnosis. High-risk tumors should be followed up with a more intense schedule: cystoscopy every 3 months for 2 years, 6 months for 2 years, and then annually, with cytology at frequent intervals, and imaging for upper tract evaluation at 1 year and then every 2 years. Intermediate-risk tumors should be subclassified as per the International Bladder Cancer Group recommendations and when associated with 3 or more of the following findings (multiple tumors, size≥3cm, early recurrence<1 year, frequent recurrences>1 per year) then a surveillance strategy similar to that of high risk should be followed. Several urine markers were more sensitive than cytology in the detection of NMIBC; however, these tests are still costly, require specialized laboratories, and do not replace cystoscopy. Until better and cheaper markers are available, their routine use has not been integrated in the follow-up recommendation of current guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS

Surveillance of NMIBC should follow a risk-adapted approach, with a combination of cystoscopy, cytology, and upper tract imaging. The aim of this approach is to minimize the therapeutic burden of a disease with high recurrence rates without missing progressing tumors. When designing a diagnostic pathway, first-line diagnostic imaging tests should have high sensitivity to ensure disease positives are included in the test population for further investigation. Second-line investigations should be highly specific, to ensure false-positives are minimized.

Commentary on "Upper tract imaging surveillance is not effective in diagnosing upper tract recurrence in patients followed fornonmuscle invasive bladder cancer." Sternberg IA, Chen LY, Herr HW, Donat SM, Bochner BH, Dalbagni G, Urology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.: J Urol 2013; 190(4):1187-91. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2013.05.020. [Epub 2013 May 13]

PURPOSE

We evaluated the usefulness of routine upper tract imaging in patients followed for nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of patients treated for nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer between 2000 and 2006 was conducted. Kaplan-Meier curves were calculated to determine upper tract urothelial carcinoma-free probability for stage Ta and T1 disease. Bladder cancer stage was included as a time dependent covariate. Descriptive statistics were used to report rates of imaging studies used and the efficacy in diagnosing upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

RESULTS

Of 935 patients treated and followed for nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer 51 were diagnosed with upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Median followup was 5.5 years. The 5-year upper tract urothelial carcinoma-free probability among patients with Ta and T1 disease was 98% and 93%, respectively. The 10-year upper tract urothelial carcinoma-free probability among patients with Ta and T1 disease was 94% and 88%, respectively. Only 15 (29%) patients were diagnosed on routine imaging while the others were diagnosed after symptoms developed. Overall 3,074 routine imaging scans were conducted for an overall efficacy of 0.49%.

CONCLUSIONS

Upper tract recurrence is a lifelong risk in patients with bladder cancer, but most cases will be missed on routine upper tract imaging. The majority of upper tract urothelial carcinoma can be diagnosed using a combination of thorough history taking, physical examination, urine cytology and sonography, indicating that routine surveillance imaging may not be the most efficient way to detect upper tract recurrence.

[Novelties and new possibilities in the radiological diagnostics of kidney and ureter tumors]

The author analyses the opportunities granted by diagnostic imaging for the early perception of kidney and urethral tumors and exact tumor staging. The wide-scale application of non-invasive ultrasound scans has lead to an increase in incidentalomas. Volumetric (multidetector or dual source) CT scans, the various MR techniques and, more recently, PET/CT scans have largely contributed to the exact preoperative staging of tumorous diseases, and help characterize the tumors found. In the case of small kidney tumors, attempts are made to decide which masses require operation and which do not, based on the tumor's absorption of the contrast agent and its wash-out intensity as observed by dynamic contrast-enhanced scans. The author points out that despite the achieved development, especially in terms of small tumors, image-guided biopsies still play a significant role. Medical imaging techniques are also indispensable for post-therapy follow-up of patients (PET/CT, CT and MR perfusion imaging).

[Long survival in a patient with advanced ureteral carcinoma treated with TIN regimen (paclitaxel, ifosfamide, nedaplatin) and radiotherapy : a case report]

A 69-year-old man diagnosed with right ureteral carcinoma pT3N0M1 (PUL) underwent nephroureterectomy. He was treated with MVAC chemotherapy (methotrexate, vinblastin, adriamycin, cisplatin), but local recurrence and right pelvic lymph node metastasis occurred. Radiotherapy to both metastatic lesions was well tolerated, but the pulmonary metastases increased. After treatment with TIN chemotherapy (paclitaxel, ifosfamide and nedaplatin), pulmonary metastases almost disappeared. He was treated with radiotherapy to remaining pulmonary metastasis. Now 7 years after operation, pulmonary metastasis appears to have diminished.

Double trouble--ureteric obstruction due to bilateral urothelial carcinoma

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) represents -5% of all urothelial carcinomas. Synchronous bilateral tumors are extremely rare with only 19 reports in the literature. Haematuria is the main presenting complaint. We report a case of synchronous bilateral tumors of the ureters in a gentleman with frank haematuria treated with staged aggressive resection.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the diagnosis of upper urinary tract urothelial cell carcinoma: a preliminary study

PURPOSE

The main objective was to assess the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the diagnosis of upper urinary tract malignancies by comparing with multidetector computed tomographic urography (MDCTU) and magnetic resonance urography (MRU). Secondary objectives were to compare the tumor size measured with CEUS, MDCTU and MRU and to assess the usefulness of CEUS in distinguishing high-grade tumors from low-grade ones.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In connection with this prospective study carried out from January 2009 to September 2011, 18 patients underwent MDCTU or MRU, grayscale ultrasonography (US), color Doppler ultrasonography and CEUS followed by surgery and histological examination of the specimen. Quantitative analysis was performed using perfusion software. Time intensity curves were extracted and the following parameters were considered: wash-in time, time-to-peak, maximum signal intensity and wash-out time.

RESULTS

Grayscale US identified 15/18 lesions; color Doppler showed no flow signal in 8 lesions, low color signal in 9 lesions and an intense color signal in 1 lesion; CEUS identified 17/18 lesions with the undetected lesion being the smallest one (1.2 cm) located in the upper pelvicalyceal system. Semi-quantitative analysis produced different data for high-grade and low-grade urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC). All detected upper urinary tract masses were UCCs. MRU, MDCTU and grayscale US overestimated the tumor size, while CEUS was the most accurate.

CONCLUSION

CEUS is useful for evaluating upper urinary tract masses as this method permits differentiation between high-grade and low-grade tumors as well as distinction of the tumor from the adjacent structures and accurate mass measurements.

Robotic nephroureterectomy with partial duodenectomy for invasive ureteral tumor

Robotic surgery is gaining acceptance in the management of diverse urological disorders. Any minimally invasive procedure carries a risk of open conversion either for complications or unexpected intraoperative findings, but the additional dexterity of robotic instrumentation may allow even complex situations to be managed laparoscopically. We report the case of an upper tract transitional cell carcinoma discovered at the time of robotic nephroureterectomy to be invading the duodenum that was successfully excised robotically.

[A case of metastatic lung cancer with cavitation due to urothelial carcinoma]

We report a rare case of lung cancer with cavitation that was caused by metastasis of urothelial carcinoma. A 73-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with macrohematuria and general fatigue in September 2003. Computed tomography revealed a left ureter tumor, which was removed by left nephroureterectomy in October 2003. However, a part of the ureter could not be resected because of the adhesion that had occurred after a previous operation. The patient was diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer, and she underwent sigmoidectomy and resection of the remaining part of the ureter in August 2004. Subsequently, transurethral resection was performed several times for bladder tumor. The pathological diagnosis in February 2005 was pT2. Cisplatin-based intra-arterial chemotherapy was performed because it was not possible to perform a cystectomy due to the poor performance status. In March 2006, computed tomography of the chest revealed a mass shadow with a cavity in the left lower lung field. This was diagnosed as primary or metastatic lung cancer and was treated by left lower lobectomy in November 2006. On the basis of the pathological findings, we diagnosed the mass as metastatic tumor secondary to the urothelial carcinoma. Despite general chemotherapy, the patient's condition deteriorated, and the patient died 1 year later.

Partial ureterectomy for a huge primary leiomyoma of the ureter

A case of a huge primary leiomyoma of the ureter in which only partial ureterectomy was performed is presented. The benign nature of the mass was primarily confirmed with frozen section at the time of surgery and then with immunohistochemistry (IHC). To the best of our knowledge, this case is a unique form of leiomyoma of the ureter due to its large size. There have been only ten cases of primary leiomyoma of the ureter reported since 1955 and all of them were very small in size. Our case is considered to be the eleventh.

[Comparison and clinical significance of different imageological methods in the detection of transitional carcinoma of upper urinary tract: analysis of 234 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the diagnostic value of multislice CT urography (MSCTU) in patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of upper urinary tract by comparing other imageology methods used.

METHODS

Two hundred and thirty four cases of transitional cell carcinoma of upper urinary tract, in which 82 cases were diagnosed pathologically with pelvic carcinoma and 152 cases with ureteral carcinoma, between June 2004 and September 2006 in our institute were enrolled in a retrospective study. Most of them underwent urological ultrasound, intravenous urogram (IVU), retrograde pyelography and MSCTU. We compared the positive rate (PR) and diagnostic rate (DR) of these methods used by chi-square test.

RESULTS

Among the 234 cases, 215 patients underwent urologic ultrasound, in which 152 cases were detected to be abnormal, with the PR of 70.7%; Meanwhile, 58 cased were diagnosed by this examination, with the DR of 27.0%. IVU was performed in 193 patients and 132 cases were found to be abnormal, and the PR was 68.4%, 65 cases were diagnosed by IVU and the DR was 33.7%. And 132 patients underwent retrograde pyelography, by which 115 cases of lesion were detected, with the PR of 87.1%; In the meantime, 93 cases were diagnosed, with the DR of 70.5%. MSCTU was performed in 226 cases and 220 cases were found to be abnormal, and the PR was 97.3%; 214 cases were diagnosed by MSCTU, with the DR of 94.7%. The DR of detecting TCC of retrograde pyelography had statistically significant difference with that of ultrasound and IVU (P<0.001). As compared with retrograde pyelography, MSCTU had statistically significant superiority (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

To shorten the diagnosis time and mitigate the sufferings, patients with hematuria supposed to be TCC of upper urinary tract should be recommended to undergo MSCTU first.

Laparoscopic management of extensive ureteral fibroepithelial polyps

Fibroepthelial polyps are uniformly benign tumors of the collecting system which may cause obstruction of an affected renal unit. We present a unique case of a 34-year-old male with a solitary functioning kidney who presented with flank pain and renal insufficiency. Radiographic and ureteroscopic evaluation revealed ureteral obstruction due to extensive polyps. After ureteral stenting and normalization of renal function, successful polyp excisions were performed laparoscopically through a ureterotomy. The pathology revealed benign fibroepithelial polyps. The patient remained asymptomatic until 3 years later when ureteroscopy performed for a calculus revealed a widely patent lumen free of polyps. To our knowledge, this is the first published report of a long term follow up after laparoscopic resection of extensive ureteral fibroepithelial polyps.

[Solitary metastasis of renal cell carcinoma to the contralateral ureter: a case report]

A 79-year-old woman presented with gross hematuria. She had undergone a right radical nephrectomy 2 years previously for G2 pT2 renal cell carcinoma, clear cell variant. Intravenous pyelography showed a filling defect in the left ureter. Systemic work-up demonstrated no evidence of other metastases. Partial uretectomy and end-to-end ureteroureterostomy were performed. Histology showed metastatic clear cell carcinoma consistent with the primary renal tumor. Six months after surgery, her serum creatinine was stable at 1.6 mg/dl and she was doing well without evidence of recurrent disease. Solitary metastasis of renal cell carcinoma to the contralateral renal pelvis or ureter is extremely rare, with only 7 cases having been reported. We herein describe the present case and review the relevant literature.

Erste Erfahrungen mit selbstexpandierenden Metallstents bei maligner Ureterkompression

Self-expanding metallic stents for the treatment of hydronephrosis were implanted in 12 ureters with malignant compression in 10 patients. In 3 ureters the stents were introduced percutaneously by a transrenal route; in 8 ureters introduction was transurethral and in one ureter by a combined route. Patency rate after 6 months was 90.9%. In all cases the stent was able to withstand pressure by the tumour for the remainder of the patient's life. In one patient there was incrustation of both stents after 30 weeks, in another patient the ureter was kinked between the level of the stent and the distal ureter due to growth of the tumour. In all cases it was possible to overcome the obstruction during the lifetime of the patient by the use of a stent or by combining the stent with a plastic endoprosthesis.

Differentiation of malignant from benign distal ureteral obstructions: assessment using transrectal and color Doppler ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) in differentiating malignant from benign distal ureteral obstructions.

METHODS

Our study group consisted of 16 malignant distal ureteral obstructions and 12 benign distal ureteral obstructions. The 16 malignant distal ureteral obstructions were transitional cell carcinomas involving the distal ureter. The 12 benign distal ureteral obstructions consisted of benign strictures (n = 4), ureteral edema after stone passage (n = 3), tuberculosis (n = 2), a fibroepithelial polyp (n = 1), amyloidosis (n = 1), and a hematoma (n = 1). Findings from gray scale transabdominal ultrasonography, gray scale TRUS, CDUS, and duplex Doppler imaging were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

Gray scale transabdominal ultrasonography and TRUS showed no specific difference between malignant and benign distal ureteral obstructions. On CDUS, malignant distal ureteral obstructions showed dotlike blood flow in 5, moderately increased blood flow in 9, and markedly increased blood flow in 2; and benign distal ureteral obstructions showed absence of blood flow in 5 and dotlike blood flow in 7. Flow spectra could be obtained in 12 malignant distal ureteral obstructions, and they showed arterial waveforms. Duplex Doppler imaging was not tried in 4 malignant distal ureteral obstructions. In 7 benign distal ureteral obstructions with dotlike blood flow, flow spectra could not be obtained.

CONCLUSIONS

Moderately or markedly increased blood flow within a ureteral mass on CDUS and an arterial waveform within a ureteral mass on duplex Doppler imaging may be helpful in differentiating malignant from benign distal ureteral obstructions.

Primary small cell carcinoma of the ureter

We report a case of primary small cell carcinoma of the ureter. These tumors are very rare, locally aggressive and with poor prognosis. A 77-year-old man presented with left flank pain and microhematuria. Following diagnosis of ureteral carcinoma, nephroureterectomy was carried out, and adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy were given. The patient had no evidence of recurrence or metastasis, 13 months postoperatively. We provide a bibliographic review and comment on its clinical and pathologic characteristics, diagnostic methods and latest modifications in therapy.

[Transitional carcinoma of the ureter with osseous metaplasia of the stroma: a case report]

Transitional cell carcinoma with osseous metaplasia of the stroma is a rare variant of urothelial carcinoma which must be distinguished from sarcomatoid carcinoma. We report here a further observation of this tumor variant, in a very unusual location, the ureter, in order to underline the radiological and pathological characteristics useful for the correct diagnosis, and to point out the problems of differential diagnosis. The diagnosis was made in an 85-year-old patient, presenting with chronic right lombalgias. Imaging studies showed a calcified thickening of the right ureter, associated with a major dilatation of the right excretory cavities and a parenchymal atrophy of the right kidney. A right nephro-ureterectomy was performed. Macroscopical examination showed an ossified, ill-limited tumor, measuring 4 cm in diameter, infiltrating the right ureteral wall. At histological examination, the lesion was identified as a high grade transitional cell carcinoma with extensive osseous metaplasia of the stroma. There was no evidence for a sarcomatous component (absence of mesenchymal cell proliferation, absence of mitosis in stromal cells). An early locoregional recurrence was observed three months after surgery. Our case report underlines the radiological and histological features of a rare variant of transitional cell carcinoma, which may be diagnosed by pre-operative imaging studies and which must be distinguished from a highly aggressive sarcomatoid carcinoma.

Concomitant occurrence of a primary renal NHL and of a papillary urothelial ureter cancer

In this manuscript for the first time we describe the concomitant diagnosis of primary renal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (PRL) and of a papillary urothelial cancer in a patient with megaloblastic anemia. PRL is a rare disease, since the kidney is one of the extranodal organs usually not containing lymphoid tissue. The disease usually affects adults with an average age of 60 years and slight male preponderance. Flank pain is the most common presenting symptom and different histologies have been reported. A review of literature indicated that simultaneous diagnosis of PRL and papillary urothelial carcinoma of the urether, makes our case unique. The early diagnosis of both diseases allowed the eradication of the two neoplasms by nephro-ureterecthomy and by performing subsequent systemic chemotherapy.

Direct primary or secondary percutaneous ureteral stenting: what is the most compliant option in patients with malignant ureteral obstructions?

The objective of this study was to analyze three ureteral stenting techniques in patients with malignant ureteral obstructions, considering the indications, techniques, procedural costs, and complications. In the period between June 2003 and June 2006, 45 patients with bilateral malignant ureteral obstructions were evaluated (24 males, 21 females; average age, 68.3; range, 42-87). All of the patients were treated with ureteral stenting: 30 (mild strictures) with direct stenting (insertion of the stent without predilation), 30 (moderate/severe strictures) with primary stenting (insertion of the stent after predilation in a one-stage procedure), and 30 (mild/moderate/severe strictures with infection) with secondary stenting (insertion of the stent after predilation and 2-3 days after nephrostomy). The incidence of complications and procedural costs were compared by a statistical analysis. The primary technical success rate was 98.89%. We did not observe any major complications. The minor complication rate was 11.1%. The incidence of complications for the various techniques was not statistically significantly. The statistical analysis of costs demonstrated that the average cost of secondary stenting (637 euros; SD, 115 euros) was significantly higher than that of procedures which involved direct or primary stenting (560 euros; SD, 108 euros). We conclude that one-step stenting (direct or primary) is a valid option to secondary stenting in correctly selected patients, owing to the fact that when the procedure is performed by expert interventional radiologists there are high technical success rates, low complication rates, and a reduction in costs.

Multidetector computed tomography urography (MDCTU) for diagnosing urothelial malignancy

Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is well established for the detection of stones and renal masses, but more recently MDCT urography (MDCTU) is becoming widely used for examination of the entire urinary tract aimed specifically for diagnosing urothelial lesions. Evidence is rapidly accumulating to support the use of MDCTU in this manner. Familiarity with the MDCTU signs of urothelial malignancy is a prerequisite for optimum radiological practice. This article provides a review of the appearances of transitional cell cancer in the upper urinary tract and bladder.

Nephrogenic adenoma of the ureter: case report

Nephrogenic adenoma is a rare metaplastic benign lesion of urothelium in response to genitourinary tract procedures, chronic infection, trauma, urinary calculi and immunosuppressive therapy after renal transplantation. It has been reported to occur throughout the urinary tract especially, in the urinary bladder. We report a case of nephrogenic adenoma arising from the lower end of the right ureter with clinical and radiological features suspicious of carcinoma.

Clinical trial for preoperative diagnosis of locally advanced invasive ureteral cancer

Locally advanced invasive ureteral cancer causes poorer prognoses compared with organ confined cancer. Preoperative diagnoses of locally advanced invasive cancer are controversial and not established in the detail method. It is important to investigate the possibility of preoperative diagnosis of locally advanced invasive ureteral cancer for the decision of the performance and the appropriate regions of lymph node dissection during surgical treatments. Eight patients who underwent surgical management of ureteral cancer were selected for this study in our institution. We compared the preoperative diagnoses about their invasiveness and progression of ureteral cancer by the combination of computed tomography, ureterography, and urine cytology, with the postoperative pathological diagnoses. Our preoperative diagnoses about their invasiveness and progression showed that 2 out of 8 cases were locally advanced invasive cancer, 5 out of 8 cases were organ confined, and 1 out of 8 cases had the possibility of locally advanced invasive cancer from the combined findings of computed tomography, ureterography, and urine cytology. From the pathological investigation after surgical managements, of the 8 cases, 5 were diagnosed as organ confined ureteral cancer, 2 were locally advanced invasive cancer, and 1 was organ confined with locally advanced invasive character. These pathological diagnoses were, in most cases, corresponded with our preoperative diagnoses regarding their invasiveness and progression. We demonstrated the possibility to distinguish preoperatively locally advanced invasive ureteral cancer and organ confined ureteral cancer in most cases with the combined testings of computed tomography, ureterography, and urine cytology for the decision about the surgical technique and the performance and the ranges of lymph node dissection.

Case report: laparoscopic resection of ureteral inverted papilloma

Inverted papilloma of the ureter is a rare entity, often mistaken for malignancy during work-up. As such, many of these patients have been unnecessarily treated with nephroureterectomy. Herein, we describe a novel laparoscopic approach for the treatment of a ureteral inverted papilloma. To our knowledge, this approach is the first application of laparoscopy for the treatment of this lesion.

Imaging findings in fibroepithelial polyps causing ureteropelvic junction obstruction: report of one case

Fibroepithelial polyps causing ureteropelvic junction obstruction are rarely reported in the pediatric age group. We report a 9-year-old boy who had ureteropelvic junction obstruction that proved to be owing to benign fibroepithelial polyps. Intravenous pyelography showed hydronephrosis with filling defects at the left ureteropelvic junction. Operative exploration revealed several finger-like polypoid neoplasms obstructing the lumen. The involved segment was resected and a dismembered pyeloplasty was performed. Fibroepithelial polyps were diagnosed by histology. The clinical imaging findings, features and methods of surgical treatment of this rare lesion are discussed.

Possibility of spontaneous seeding of transitional cell carcinoma of the ureter in renal tubules: another mechanism of transitional cell carcinoma dissemination

Cancer cell seeding inside the urinary tract always has been considered one possible mechanism of the multicentric origin of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). However, there is still no direct clinical evidence to prove that the natural seeding of TCC is a real event. To our knowledge, we report the first case of spontaneous seeding of TCC of the ureter in the renal tubules of a hydronephrotic kidney. The TCC nature of the intratubular tumor cells has been confirmed by the morphological appearance of them after hematoxylin and eosin staining and positive p53 immunohistochemical staining.

[A case of ureteral carcinoma at 11 years after radical cystectomy and rectal bladder reconstruction: a case report]

We report a 74-year-old male who developed ureteral carcinoma after 11 years of radical cystectomy and rectal bladder reconstruction. The patient had right lumbago and high grade fever and right hydronephrosis. He was suspected to have right ureter tumor under the antegrade pyelography at the time of right nephrostomy, and ureter tumor was diagnosed by the combination of computed tomography and antegrade pyelography. Under this preoperative diagnosis, right nephroureterectomy was performed. The histopathological diagnosis was transitional cell carcinoma. Since the recurrence of urothelial cancer at 10 years after radical cystectomy is rare, we believe our case is useful for the establishment of long-term follow up of bladder cancer.

Laparoscopic management of a single system ectopic ureterocele with transitional cell carcinoma in the distal ureter

Single system ectopic ureterocele associated with transitional cell carcinoma in the ureter has not been described previously. Only two cases of transitional cell carcinoma in a single ectopic ureter have been reported in the published literature. With the development of minimally invasive surgery, we report the first case of single system ectopic ureterocele with transitional cell carcinoma in the distal ureter that was successfully managed by laparoscopic surgery.

Long-term outcome of upper urinary tract carcinoma in situ: Effectiveness of nephroureterectomy versus bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy

BACKGROUND

We examined the long-term outcome and compared the usefulness of nephroureterectomy with that of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy for the management of upper urinary tract carcinoma in situ (CIS).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the post-treatment course of 17 patients with CIS of the upper urinary tract who had undergone either a nephroureterectomy (group A, n = 6) or BCG therapy (group B, n = 11) at our institute.

RESULTS

Median follow up was 58.3 months (range 1-120 months). Four of the six patients in group A (67%) had no recurrence and remained cystoscopically, cytologically and radiographically free of disease. The cytology became negative after an 8-week course in nine of the eleven patients in group B (82%; eight of ten units, 77%). Two of the nine patients showed recurrence after BCG therapy. One patient died of respiratory failure caused by a side-effect of BCG, which was interstitial pneumonia. There was no significant difference in either the 5-year recurrence-free survival or the 5-year cancer-specific survival between groups A and B.

CONCLUSIONS

BCG therapy for CIS of the upper urinary tract is as effective as nephroureterectomy in long-term outcome, although it has some dangerous aspects. Further experience with treatment of CIS of the upper urinary tract is required.

[New CT program simulating kidney displacement during retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy]

A total of 12 patients with malignant localized renal or ureteral neoplasms underwent multi-slice computed tomography. Imaging data were sent to the dedicated workstation to create volume rendering and virtual laparoscopic images of the kidney which was displaced ventrally with retroperitoneal balloon. These findings were compared with video images obtained during retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy. The kidney displacement simulator depicted all renal arteries (100% sensitivity) and 13 of 14 renal veins (93% sensitivity). Hilar anatomy, including the tumor, major vessels and their relationships were visualized as in the actual laparoscopic views. The desired portions of major vessels as well as the left adrenal and gonadal veins visualized with this system completely corresponded with the actual laparoscopic images during surgery. The kidney displacement simulator is useful to foresee desired portions of major vessels and branched small vessels such as the adrenal or gonadal veins in advance of surgery. It is thus able to guide surgeons and reduce operative risks and possible complications.

Laparoscopic management of a transitional cell carcinoma arising in a right ectopic ureter

Ectopic ureter is a rare abnormality, so presenting a transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) arising from an ectopic ureter is extremely rare. We report here a case of a man with an invasive transitional cell carcinoma arising from a right ectopic ureter and managed by laparoscopy. To our knowledge, this is the fourth case described in the literature, and the second case of a TCC arising in a right ectopic ureter.