Endoscopic ureteroneocystostomy: palliative urinary diversion in advanced prostatic cancer

Distal ureteral obstruction is a common complication in advanced prostatic cancer, secondary to direct compression at the ureterovesical junction and/or invasion of the ureteral orifice and/or of the intramural ureter by the tumor. The ureteral orifice may not be readily visible to the trigone-infiltrating tumor, but remains superficial as it is pushed upward by the tumoral tissue. The indications for palliative diversion in patients with pelvic malignant disease and renal failure from ureteral obstruction remain controversial. We present the results of our endoscopic ureteroneocystostomy technique by which the trigone is resected to restore continuity of the ureteral orifice and to place a double pigtail ureteral stent. Of the 31 operations performed for obstructive prostate cancer, continuity was restored in 76% of cases. Length of hospital stay was gradually reduced to a few days. Median survival after surgery was 8 months (0.25 to 27.5 months). Palliative diversion may be considered a reasonable option for many patients, even in the case of an apparently unpassable obstruction of the pelvic ureter, thereby prolonging survival and improving quality of life.