Conservative Management of Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Kidney and Ureter
Author Information
Author(s): GREGORY T. BALES, EDWARD S. LYON, GLENN S. GERBER
Primary Institution: University of Chicago Hospitals and Clinics
Hypothesis
Can endourologic treatment be a feasible option for patients with upper tract transitional cell carcinoma?
Conclusion
Endoscopic treatment of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma is feasible, but there is a significant risk of disease recurrence and progression.
Supporting Evidence
- Two patients were rendered tumor free without recurrence after 48 and 60 months.
- Four out of five patients who tolerated endoscopic therapy were disease free with a mean follow-up of 30 months.
- One patient died from metastatic cancer 18 months postoperatively.
Takeaway
Doctors treated six patients with a type of kidney cancer using a less invasive method, and while some patients did well, others had serious problems.
Methodology
Six patients underwent endourologic treatment using various procedures, with follow-up evaluations performed every 3 to 12 months.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the small number of patients and the selection criteria for treatment.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and included patients with significant comorbidities, which may affect generalizability.
Participant Demographics
Patients included a mix of ages and genders, with significant comorbid diseases in some cases.
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