title: Ureteroscopic management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma.
abstract: The expanding experience with endoscopic techniques for treating upper tract urothelial malignancy demonstrates its safety and efficacy in carefully selected patients. Diagnostic accuracy can be enhanced, and pathologic confirmation of tumor grade and stage is possible. In carefully selected patients who have low-grade and low-stage disease, the results of endourologic management have been encouraging. Patients with an anatomic or functionally solitary kidney, bilateral disease, or significant renal insufficiency can often be considered candidates for endoscopic treatment as the first line of therapy. In the setting of low-grade, low-stage disease in a patient with a normal contralateral kidney, the role of endourologic management remains controversial. Adjuvant topical therapy with mitomycin C or BCG seems to be safe and well tolerated after endoscopic management of upper tract TCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 161 Fort Washington Avenue, Irving Pavilion, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Mantu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gupta
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018579:Patient Selection; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014516:Ureteral Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018666:Ureteroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*