[Recurrent urothelial cancer after resection of ureteral carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE

To prevent and treat recurrent urothelial cancer after resection of ureteral carcinoma, recurrence-associated factors and their features were analyzed.

METHODS

Thirty five cases of ureteral cancer were studied retrospectively.

RESULTS

There were 16 cases of recurrent bladder cancer among 32 cases after kidney-ureter and partial bladder removal. Bladder cancer recurred in 10 of 14 cases (71.4%) with multiorgan urothelial cancers. Six out of 18 cases with single ureteral cancer had recurrent cancer in the bladder. In 5 of the 6 cases, the primary tumor was located at the lower ureter. None of the 4 cases in grade I had tumor recurrence while there were 16 cases of recurrent bladder cancer in 28 cases in grade II-III. There was one recurrent bladder cancer in 6 cases in stage T1 within 2 years after operation. Among 26 cases in stage T2-T3, 10 cases of recurrent bladder cancer occurred in 2 years. After 2 years, 5 recurrent cases were in stage T1-T2. There were 2 recurrent urothelial carcinomas in 3 cases whose tumors were removed by local resection. The time of recurrence was 3 months to 6.5 years (average 1.86 years). Of 16 cases with recurrent urothelial cancer, 3 were alive for more than 3 years after operation. Of 8 cases without recurrence 6 survived for more than 3 years.

CONCLUSION

Recurrent urothelial cancer after resection of ureteral cancer occurs more frequently when the neoplasm is located in the lower ureter, involving more than one organ, with high-grade cell differentiation and high invasiveness. Prognosis of recurrent urothelial cancer is poor. Regular cystoscopic check-up is helpful to find the recurrence.