[Recurrence and prognosis of renal pelvic and ureteral carcinoma]

Eighty-three patients with renal pelvic and ureteral carcinoma operated in Chiba University Hospital were followed. Age ranged between 23 and 79 years old (average 61.8 years) with the male-to-female ratio of approximately 2:1. Localization of tumors was in renal pelvis in 41 (49.4%), ureter in 29 (34.9%) and both in 13 (15.7%). Significant correlation in prognosis was obtained with macroscopic hematuria, histological classification, grade, stage and regional lymph node involvement. Recurrence was found on 49 cases (59%), 21 had intra-vesical tumor and 28 showed retroperitoneal recurrence or distant metastasis. In the former the mean tumor free interval was 14.8 months and 5 year survival rate was 62.1%. In the later the mean tumor free interval was 6.5 months and 3 year survival rate was 5%. 8 (38.1%) in 21 cases with low stage papillary transitional cell carcinoma showed recurrence and it was all intra-vesical tumor. 25 (56.8%) in 44 cases with high stage papillary transitional cell carcinoma showed recurrence. Retroperitoneal recurrence or distant metastasis was recognized in 12 cases. On the other hand 14 (87.5%) in 16 cases with non-papillary transitional cell carcinoma showed recurrence, which was all retroperitoneal recurrence or distant metastasis.