Transitional cell carcinoma of the ureter: prognostic factors influencing progression and survival

We retrospectively evaluated prognostic factors for progression-free and disease-specific survival in a large cohort of patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the ureter.

A single-centre series of 145 consecutive patients treated with partial resection of the ureter or nephroureterectomy between 1975 and 2004 was evaluated. Median follow-up was 96 mo. Routine preoperative laboratory parameters as well as clinical and tumour-specific data were assessed. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed.

Five-year disease-specific survival ranged from 96.1% for stages pTa to 28.6% for pT4. Grade1 tumours were associated with 5-yr disease-specific survival rates of 100% compared with 84% for G2, and 51.9% for G3 tumours, respectively. Univariate analyses identified pT stage and grade, tumour diameter, cM and pN categories, weight loss, the presence of synchronous tumour in the renal pelvis as well as elevated levels for humoral factors such as serum alkaline phosphatase (AP), white blood cell (WBC) count, platelet count, gamma-glutamyl transferase, creatinin, and blood urea nitrogen as prognostic factors. In multivariate analyses, tumour grade and WBC counts were predictive for low progression-free survival rates, whilst simultaneous tumour in the renal pelvis, high AP levels, and WBC counts were correlated with worse disease-specific survival.

Our retrospective analysis provides clinical factors to identify patients with TCC of the ureter at high risk for progression and death of disease. Interestingly, humoral factors such as elevated serum AP levels and high WBC counts were demonstrated to be of paramount prognostic significance besides tumour stage, grade and multifocality.