Impact of percutaneous nephrostomy in South African women with advanced cervical cancer and obstructive uropathy

Abstract

Objectives: South Africa women with cervical carcinoma present at younger ages and the majority with advanced-stage disease. Certain patients may have a favourable outcome after placement of a percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) for obstructive uropathy in cervical cancer.Methods: A retrospective audit was conducted at the Gynaecological Oncology Unit, University of Pretoria. All patients with primary untreated cervical cancer with renal impairment secondary to obstructive uropathy were included. Urea, creatinine and potassium were recorded for patients receiving PCN before insertion and after treatment.Results: In total, 54 patients were included. The mean age was 49.5 years. The number of patients receiving PCN was 28 (51.9%) and 26 (48.1%) women did not. Altogether, 25% of patients had improvement in renal function after insertion of PCN and in 10.3% renal function worsened. Some 50% of these patients received palliative radiotherapy, 7% started therapeutic chemo-radiation and 7% of patients completed treat...