Prevention of IVR: a need for investigation

Intravesical recurrence (IVR) after RNU for UTUC is a frequent event, occurring in 20-50% of patients, mostly in the first postoperative year. Several retrospective studies have shown that predictors of IVR include clinical characteristics, surgical features and as well pathological characteristics (previous history of bladder cancer, pathological stage, lymph node involvement, cis, endoscopic distal ureter, etc.) management. Two prospective studies provide level I evidence for the safety and efficacy of intravesical single postoperative chemotherapy for patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for UTUC in order to prevent IVR. However, some questions remain unanswered. Yamashita et al. in the current issue of the journal have shown that early ureteral ligation during RNU decreases the risk of IVR in patients with pelvycalyceal upper tract urothelial carcinoma. This study despite its limitations represent a step towards improved outcomes for our patients with UTUC, the relatively low morbidity of the procedure added to the potential benefit associated with this early ligation make it an easy implementation in daily practice.