Long-term outcome of endoscopic biopsy and subsequent nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract tumor.
BACKGROUND
Upper urinary tract tumors can be biopsied using a flexible ureterorenoscope. This study examined retrospectively possible adverse effects of this procedure on patient outcome.


METHODS
The study subjects consisted of 16 consecutive patients with renal pelvic tumor (n = 13) and upper ureteral tumor (n = 3). All subjects underwent endoscopic biopsy of their tumor and subsequent total nephroureterectomy between 1989 and 1995. The follow-up period ranged from 4.1 to 9.5 (mean 5.2) years.


RESULTS
The overall 5-year survival rate was 87.0%, being 100% in 12 patients with tumors of grade 1 or 2. In contrast, of four patients with grade 3 tumor, three (75%) developed systemic lymphogenous and/or multiple lung metastases within 1 year postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
The excellent patient outcomes deny any adverse effect of endoscopic biopsy on patients with grade 1 or 2 tumor. However, the endoscopic procedure should be performed prudently when a high grade tumor is suspected.
Minowada
S
S
Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan. minowadas-uro@h.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Homma
Y
Y
Takeuchi
T
T
Kamijo
T
T
Kitamura
T
T
D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D009399:Nephrons / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014513:Ureter / Q000601:surgery*; D014516:Ureteral Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D018666:Ureteroscopy