Ureteral obstruction associated with prostate cancer: the outcome after ultrasonographic percutaneous nephrostomy

We retrospectively reviewed the outcome of 28 prostate cancer patients with ureteral obstruction treated by percutaneous nephrostomy. The over-all survival was 60% at 1 year and 32% at 2 years. The 1 and 2 years survival rates of 13 patients with no prior hormonal therapy were 70 and 45%, respectively, while those of patients who had previously received hormonal therapy were 46 and 17% respectively. Of 10 patients who had severe renal failure before percutaneous nephrostomy (serum creatinine greater than or equal to 7 mg per dl), 8 had an adequate return of renal function (serum creatinine less than 3 mg pe dl) after drainage and 55% survived more than 1 year, cutaneous nephrostomy is safe and effective in relieving ureteral obstruction and reasonable survival can be achieved even in patient with renal failure. Percutaneous nephrostomy should be considered strongly in these patients.