Diagnosis and Management of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma

In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Aditya Bagrodia and Dr. Shahrokh Shariat, chairman of Urology at the Medical University of Vienna, about diagnosis and management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) as well as differing AUA and EAU approaches to these malignancies.

First, the doctors discuss common history and physical examination findings of patients with UTUC. Hematuria is the the most common sign, followed by flank pain and hydronephrosis. 10-15% of UTUC patients will also have Lynch syndrome, which is a condition that indicates a genetic predisposition to UTUC as well as other cancers. After initial hematuria workup, imaging of the upper tract and kidney must be obtained. Dr. Shariat obtains a CT urogram and an ultrasound for patients with suspected UTUC but waits until a tumor is identified to get a chest X-ray. Indirect signs of UTUC are: filling defects, thickening of the ureter wall, and hydronephrosis.

Performing a ureteroscopy is the next step in UTUC patients. A ureteroscopy obtains adequate specimen for grading and reveals tumor behavior and location. A ureteroscopy can also be used as a therapeutic approach if kidney preservation is possible. Dr. Shariat uses a “no touch technique” in which he uses an access sheath to prevent tumor seeding. He prefers to use a flexible ureteroscope, a holmium laser, and a basket for collection. After ureteroscopy, he places a double J stent in his patients and waits for 6 weeks before taking a second look and starting alternating imaging, if needed.

Surgical intervention may be required to treat non-metastatic UTUC. Dr. Shariat usually administers four rounds of neoadjuvant chemotherapy to his patient before operating. He recommends checking the patient’s renal function to see if cisplatin-based therapy can be tolerated. Dr. Bagrodia and Dr. Shariat then compare the outcomes of cisplatin and carboplatin-based therapy.

Next, Dr. Shariat shares his tips for segmented ureterectomy. Although this procedure is relatively uncommon, he advocates for careful closure, intraoperative chemotherapy, and clipping the ureter above and below the tumor to prevent seeding.

To end the episode, the doctors discuss new UTUC therapeutic options, such as JELMYTO, a gel-based chemotherapy administered through a catheter. Finally, Dr. Shariat emphasizes once more that UTUC is a heterogenous cancer that requires multimodal therapy.