Editorial Comment on: Significant Predictive Factors for Prognosis of Primary Upper Urinary Tract Cancer after Radical Nephroureterectomy in Taiwanese Patients

摘要

Upper tract tumor (UTCC) is a relatively uncommon location within the overall spectrum of urothelial cancer. The article by Li et al describes 260 cases of unilateral, localized disease inpatients without prior bladder tumor who were treated byradical nephroureterectomy in Taiwan over a contemporary 15-yr period. In multivariate analysis, T stage most correlated with outcome as in other reports. Several findings in the current series were unique from series in Europe and the United States. The high rate of liver metastases is surprising. One wonders if the high rate of hepatitis endemic to the area had an impact on disease behavior.'UTCC was proportionately more common in women and equaled the rate in men. Yet, subsequent bladder tumor remained more common in men, especially in those with renal insufficiency (hazard ratio of 3).