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Background: Nephroureterectomy (NU) remains the gold-standard for upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). However, nephron-sparing management (NSM), specifically segmental ureterectomy (SU) for urothelial tumors distal to the renal pelvis may offer decreased risk of renal insufficiency and equivalent cancer control., Objectives: To identify patient-specific and facility-related factors that are associated with the selection of SU vs. NU for patients with clinically localized, high-grade, ureteral UTUC., Design, Setting, Participants: We searched the National Cancer Database between 2004 and 2015 for patients with high-grade, clinically localized, primary ureteral UTUC managed by either NU or SU., Outcome Measurements and Statistical Analysis: Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to assess patient, disease-specific, facility and treatment-related factors associated with SU vs. NU. Since surgical approach was only indexed after 2010, separate multivariable logistic regressions were performed including and excluding surgical approach in order to capture patients treated between 2004 and 2009. Survival analysis utilized Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards regression., Results and Limitations: Multivariate analysis including surgical approach demonstrated that among other factors, higher clinical stage (P = 0.034), larger tumor size (P < 0.001), the addition of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.002), and the utilization of minimally invasive surgery (P < 0.05) decreased the likelihood of patients receiving SU. In this same cohort, institutions with larger facility volumes (P = 0.038) and performing intraoperative lymph node dissection (P < 0.001) were associated with a higher probability of SU. Excluding surgical approach, once again more advanced clinical stage (P = 0.005), larger tumor size (P < 0.001), and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.003) decreased the probability of patients receiving SU, while increasing age (P = 0.049) and intraoperative lymph node dissection (P < 0.001) were more closely associated with SU compared to NU. No differences were noted in pathological T stage (P > 0.05), 30-day readmission (P = 0.7), 30-day mortality (P = 0.09), and 90-day mortality (P = 0.157) on multivariate analysis between SU and NU. Additionally, no significant differences were seen in median overall survival between patients receiving SU or NU (53 vs. 50 months; P = 0.143)., Conclusions: Comparable outcomes suggest segmental ureterectomy for high-grade ureteral UTUC is appropriate in well-selected patients. Practice patterns appear consistent with guideline recommendations (decreased tumor size and lower clinical stage favor SU), but treatment disparities may exist based on a multitude of patient, pathologic- and facility-related factors. Improved dissemination of knowledge regarding practice patterns and outcomes of SU for UTUC of the ureter has the potential to improve delivery of NSM in appropriate patients., Patient Summary: In this study, we examined factors associated with different surgical procedures for cancer of the ureter. We found that smaller tumor sizes, a less advanced clinical stage, intraoperative lymph dissection higher facility volumes tended to favor kidney-sparing treatment, while survival outcomes appear comparable to renal extirpation., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: We conducted this study to determine if, in appropriately selected elderly patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), clinical outcomes including pathologic complete response/downstaging and overall survival were similar to a younger cohort., Methods: Chart review was performed on patients receiving NAC for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) from 2004 to 2013. A total of 116 patients were identified that underwent NAC from 2004 to 2013 for ≥ cT2N0M0 UCB. Patients were excluded who received 2 cycles or less of chemotherapy (N = 18; 11 patients in the younger cohort, 7 in the elderly group; P = .74). Data was analyzed, and Kaplan-Meir analysis curves were used for survival and recurrence., Results: Forty-six elderly patients (age ≥ 70 years) (67% cisplatin-based regimen) were identified and compared with 70 (93% cisplatin-based regimen) younger patients. The estimated glomerular filtration rate, performance status, preoperative hemoglobin, and body mass index were significantly worse in elderly patients. Dose reduction and pathologic downstaging to non-muscle-invasive disease was not statistically different between older and younger patients Complete pathologic response in older patients (16%) and in the younger cohort (17%) were similar (P = .146). There was no significant difference in follow-up, recurrence, or in median overall survival between patient groups (28 months elderly vs. 35 months younger; P = .78). Age was not an independent predictor of pathologic downstaging, complete response, overall survival, or recurrence-free survival., Conclusions: NAC in elderly patients (≥ 70 years old) demonstrated equivalent toxicity and oncologic outcomes in our single-institution cohort. Although older patients had significantly poorer performance status and renal function, there were no differences in survival or response to NAC., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)