Papillary ureteral neoplasm of low malignant potential in the upper urinary tract: endoscopic treatment

Papillary ureteral neoplasm of low malignant potential (PUNLMP) is a rare diagnosis, and to our knowledge, has not yet been reported in the upper urinary tract. In this study, we aimed to present our experience in managing a very rare diagnosis, PUNLMP, in the upper urinary tract, with endoscopic treatment.

Files of patients who received surgery between January 2007 and January 2013 for upper urinary tract tumors were reviewed and patients treated for PUNLMP in the upper urinary tract in 4 urology clinics were reviewed. Patients included in the study had at most 2 tumors in the ureter and had a pathology of PUNLMP.

The study included 11 patients with a mean age of 58.5 years. There were 9 men, and 2 women with a smoking rate of 81.8%. Nine patients (8 in the distal and 1 in the mid ureter) were managed using a semirigid ureteroscope. Two patients (1 with mid ureteral and 1 proximal) were treated using flexible ureteroscopy. The mean hospital stay was 1.56 days. Mean surgical time was 37.18 ± 7.14 minutes. The mean follow-up was 31.5 (range, 7-72) months. In the follow-ups, 3 patients had recurrences of 3, 2, and 4 mm in 9, 15, and 17 months, respectively.

For tumors with a low risk of progression and relatively low risk of recurrence, organ-sparing treatments should be the choice of preference. To support our initial findings, randomized controlled studies on larger cohorts should be designed.