Oncologic Outcomes of Salvage Chemotherapy in Patients with Recurrent or Metastatic Lesions after Radical Nephroureterectomy: A Multi-Institutional Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) is the standard treatment for patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). However, approximately 25% of patients experience recurrence or metastasis after RNU. This study evaluated the clinical outcome and efficacy of salvage chemotherapy (SC) after recurrence or metastasis. Patients and Methods: Of the 441 nonmetastatic UTUC patients who underwent RNU, 147 patients with recurrent or metastatic lesions were analyzed; patients with bladder cancer recurrence were excluded. Time from disease recurrence or metastasis to cancer-specific survival (CSS) was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analyses were performed with the Cox proportional hazards regression model, controlling for the effects of clinicopathological factors. Results: The median time from RNU to disease recurrence or metastasis was 13.2 months. In the recurrent or metastatic sites, 31 cases (21%) were liver. In multivariate analyses, pT stage (≥pT3), time to recurrence (<12 months), and liver metastasis were independently predictive factors. In the risk stratification model for CSS after recurrence, patients were categorized into 2 groups based on pT stage, time to recurrence, and liver metastasis. The low-risk group (0-1 risk factors) included 87 patients, and the high-risk group (2-3 risk factors) included 60 patients. In the high-risk group, 27 patients received SC. The probability of CSS after recurrence or metastasis was higher in patients in the SC group compared to the non-SC group (9.5 vs. 3.7 months; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Two or more risk factors defined the high-risk group for patients with recurrence or metastasis after RNU. SC was associated with improved survival in patients with high-risk UTUC.