Transurethral resection of ureteral tumors at the intramural segment: A pilot study

Background: Ureteral tumors are rare and present unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transurethral resection (TUR) in treating ureteral tumors located in the intramural segment of the bladder wall. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of 24 patients who underwent TUR for intramural ureteral tumors at Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, China, from May 2020 to September 2023. All patients were treated using an “outer wedge, inner rotation” technique, with ureteral stent placed during the procedure. Results: All surgeries were successfully completed, with a median operative time of 45 min (range: 25–75 min), median intraoperative blood loss of 5 mL (range: 1–30 mL), median post-operative hospitalization of 4 days (range: 3–10 days), mean ureteral stent placement duration of 34.1 ± 10.1 days, and a mean tumor resection diameter of 1.9 ± 0.7 cm. There were no intraoperative complications, while post-operative hydronephrosis occurred in 12.5% of patients. Pathological examination revealed that all tumors were urothelial carcinoma, with five cases of Ta stage, one case of pT1 low-grade, 14 cases of pT1 high-grade, and four cases of pT2a high-grade. The median follow-up period lasted for 28 months (range: 11–38 months), with a tumor recurrence rate of 20.8%. Conclusion: TUR of ureteral tumors in the intramural segment is a minimally invasive procedure associated with low blood loss, reduced post-operative complications, and efficacious tumor control while preserving renal function. However, the possibility of local tumor recurrence remains, necessitating close post-operative surveillance.
- Baard J, De Bruin DM, Zondervan PJ, Kamphuis G, De La Rosette J, Laguna MP. Diagnostic dilemmas in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Nat Rev Urol. 2017;14(3):181-191. doi: 10.1038/nrurol.2016.252
- Siegel RL, Kratzer TB, Giaquinto AN, Sung H, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2025. CA Cancer J Clin. 2025;75(1):10-45. doi: 10.3322/caac.21871
- Soria F, Shariat SF, Lerner SP, et al. Epidemiology, diagnosis, pre-operative evaluation and prognostic assessment of upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). World J Urol. 2017;35(3):379-387. doi: 10.1007/s00345-016-1928-x
- Masson-Lecomte A, Birtle A, Pradere B, et al. European association of urology guidelines on upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma: Summary of the 2025 update. Eur Urol. 2025;87(6):697-716. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2025.02.023
- Alouini S. Risk factors associated with urothelial bladder cancer. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024;21(7):954. doi: 10.3390/ijerph21070954
- Barone B, Finati M, Cinelli F, et al. Bladder cancer and risk factors: Data from a multi-institutional long-term analysis on cardiovascular disease and cancer incidence. J Pers Med. 2023;13(3):512. doi: 10.3390/jpm13030512
- Fang D, Seisen T, Yang K, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of oncological and renal function outcomes obtained after segmental ureterectomy versus radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2016;42(11):1625-1635. doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2016.08.008
- Seisen T, Peyronnet B, Dominguez-Escrig JL, et al. Oncologic outcomes of kidney-sparing surgery versus radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma: A systematic review by the EAU non-muscle invasive bladder cancer guidelines panel. Eur Urol. 2016;70(6):1052-1068. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2016.07.014
- Territo A, Foerster B, Shariat SF, et al. Diagnosis and kidney-sparing treatments for upper tract urothelial carcinoma: State of the art. Minerva Urol Nefrol. 2018;70(3):242-251. doi: 10.23736/S0393-2249.18.03058-8
- Moch H, Amin MB, Berney DM, et al. The 2022 World Health Organization classification of tumours of the urinary system and male genital organs-part a: Renal, penile, and testicular tumours. Eur Urol. 2022;82(5):458-468. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2022.06.016
- Paner GP, Stadler WM, Hansel DE, Montironi R, Lin DW, Amin MB. Updates in the eighth edition of the tumor-node-metastasis staging classification for urologic cancers. Eur Urol. 2018;73(4):560-569. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2017.12.018
- Hall MC, Womack S, Sagalowsky AI, Carmody T, Erickstad MD, Roehrborn CG. Prognostic factors, recurrence, and survival in transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract: A 30-year experience in 252 patients. Urology. 1998;52(4):594-601. doi: 10.1016/s0090-4295(98)00295-7
- Olgac S, Mazumdar M, Dalbagni G, Reuter VE. Urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis: A clinicopathologic study of 130 cases. Am J Surg Pathol. 2004;28(12):1545-1552. doi: 10.1097/00000478-200412000-00001
- Fang D, Zhang Q, Li X, et al. Nomogram predicting renal insufficiency after nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma in the Chinese population: Exclusion of ineligible candidates for adjuvant chemotherapy. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:529186. doi: 10.1155/2014/529186
- Hoffman A, Yossepowitch O, Erlich Y, Holland R, Lifshitz D. Oncologic results of nephron sparing endoscopic approach for upper tract low grade transitional cell carcinoma in comparison to nephroureterectomy - a case control study. BMC Urol. 2014;14:97. doi: 10.1186/1471-2490-14-97
- Coleman JA, Clark PE, Bixler BR, et al. Diagnosis and management of non-metastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma: AUA/SUO guideline. J Urol. 2023;209(6):1071- 1081. doi: 10.1097/JU.0000000000003480
- Mano R, Shoshany O, Baniel J, Yossepowitch O. Resection of ureteral orifice during transurethral resection of bladder tumor: Functional and oncologic implications. J Urol. 2012;188(6):2129-2133. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2012.08.006
- Fang D, Xiong GY, Li XS, et al. Pattern and risk factors of intravesical recurrence after nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma: A large Chinese center experience. J Formos Med Assoc. 2014;113(11):820-827. doi: 10.1016/j.jfma.2013.11.004
- Wright JL, Hotaling J, Porter MP. Predictors of upper tract urothelial cell carcinoma after primary bladder cancer: A population based analysis. J Urol. 2009;181(3):1035-1039.doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2008.10.168
- Bader MJ, Sroka R, Gratzke C, et al. Laser therapy for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma: Indications and management. Eur Urol. 2009;56(1):65-71. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2008.12.012
- Rodriguez Faba O, Gaya JM, Breda A, et al. Resection of the intramural portion of the distal ureter during transurethral resection of bladder tumors: Predictive factors for secondary stenosis and development of upper urinary tract recurrence. J Urol. 2016;196(1):52-56. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2016.01.038
- Li HZ, Li X, Gao XS, Qi X, Ma MW, Qin S. Oncological outcomes of adjuvant radiotherapy for partial ureterectomy in distal ureteral urothelial carcinoma patients. Front Oncol. 2021;11:699210. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.699210