Tumour multiplicity as a risk factor for the development of bladder tumours after primary upper urinary tract cancer

Abstract

Objective: To determine the independent risk factors for intravesical tumour recurrence in patients with primary urothelial cancer of the upper urinary tract. Patients and methods: Of the 60 patients who underwent nephroureterectomy for urothelial cancer of the upper urinary tract, the data from 49 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with a previous history or concomitance of bladder cancer were excluded from the study. Multivariate analysis by Cox’s proportional hazards model was used to determine independent risk factors for intravesical tumour recurrence. Results: Of the 49 patients reviewed, 22 (44.9%) experienced subsequent intravesical tumour recurrence during a mean follow-up period of 26 months (range 3–103). On multivariate analysis, tumour multiplicity had a statistically significant impact on the risk of intravesical tumour recurrence ( P < 0.01). Conclusion: Neither the pathology of the upper urinary tract cancers nor the method of treatment was associated with recurrent bladder cancers. Only tumour multiplicity had a significant impact on the incidence of intravesical tumour recurrence.