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INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Therapeutic options are limited for BCG resistant/ refractory NMIBC patients who are unfit or refuse radical cystectomy. Combination chemotherapy is not regularly used du...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Early postoperative ambulation is widely accepted to reduce surgical morbidity. However, the rate of recovery of ambulatory function is unknown in both the immediate post...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Non-muscle invasive urothelial cancer is a heterogeneous disease with a variable history and differential response to chemotherapeutic and immunologically based therapy. ...

OBJECTIVE To determine if delaying the initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy following radical cystectomy for locally advanced bladder cancer worsens overall survival. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study utilizing the National Cancer Database from 2006 to 2013. We included treatment-naive patients who underwent radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer found to have locally advanced disease (pT3-T4 and/or pN+). Patients received no chemotherapy or multiagent adjuvant chemotherapy between 30 and 180 days following surgery. We used a multivariable Cox Regression to assess for differences in overall survival according to when patients initiated adjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS We identified 3590 patients: 2581 received no chemotherapy and 1009 received multiagent adjuvant chemotherapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy began 31-60 days postsurgery in 538 patients, 61-90 days in 321 patients, and 91-180 days in 150 patients. Relative to patients who did not receive chemotherapy, adjuvant chemotherapy decreased mortality when started 31-60 days (hazard ratio [HR], 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52-0.69; P

OBJECTIVE To evaluate programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) staining fidelity between the primary tumor and associated lymph node metastases in bladder cancer. To secondarily evaluate whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) affects this relationship. METHODS Sixty-seven subjects with residual bladder cancer on cystectomy and associated positive lymph nodes were identified between 2008 and 2015. PD-L1 staining of tumor cells was evaluated using H score and 49 specimens were also evaluated using combined positive score (CPS). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to assess how various clinical variables affected odds of PD-L1 fidelity between primary and metastatic tumors. RESULTS Tumor PD-L1 staining was concordant in 79.1% of cases and CPS was concordant in 79.6% of cases. NAC did not significantly impact odds of PD-L1 or CPS fidelity (OR 1.974, 95% CI 0.673-5.784, OR 0.500, 95% CI 0.093-2.700). Among clinical variables analyzed on univariable analysis of tumor PD-L1 fidelity, H-score, and PD-L1 staining intensity were associated with significantly increased odds of PD-L1 fidelity and the association with staining intensity was confirmed on multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION PD-L1 fidelity between primary bladder tumors and nodal metastases was observed in >75% of cases in this study. Additionally, NAC was not shown to diminish this propensity to maintain PD-L1 staining status. Further standardization of immunohistochemistry of tumor and infiltrating imsmune cells in metastatic bladder cancer is needed to improve application of therapeutics.

To determine if CT characteristics of intraprocedural ice balls correlate with outcomes after cryoablation.A retrospective review was performed on 63 consecutive patients treated with renal cryoablation. Preprocedural and intraprocedural images were used to identify the size and location of renal tumors and ice balls as well as the tumor coverage and ice-ball margins. Review of follow-up imaging (1 mo and then 3-6-mo intervals) distinguished successful ablations from cases of residual tumor.Patients who underwent successful ablation (n = 50; 79%) had a mean tumor diameter of 2.5 cm (range, 0.9-4.3 cm) and mean ice-ball margin of 0.4 cm (range, 0.2-1.2 cm). Patients with residual tumor (n = 13; 21%) had a mean tumor diameter of 3.8 cm (range, 1.8-4.5 cm) and mean ice-ball margin of -0.4 cm (range, -0.9 to 0.4 cm). Residual and undertreated tumors were larger and had smaller ice-ball margins than successfully treated tumors (P.01). Ice-ball diameters were significantly smaller after image reformatting (P.01). Ice-ball margins of 0.15 cm had 90% sensitivity, 92% specificity, and 98% positive predictive value for successful ablation. Success was independent of tumor location or number of cryoprobes.Ice-ball margin and real-time intraprocedural reformatting could be helpful in predicting renal cryoablation outcomes. Although a 0.5-cm margin is preferred, a well-centered ice ball with a short-axis margin greater than 0.15 cm strongly correlated with successful ablation.

Background To determine the comparative effectiveness of primary radical prostatectomy (RP) compared to external bean radiation therapy (EBRT) with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), or EBRT plus brachytherapy (BT) with or without ADT among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries with high-risk prostate cancer, for 10-year, mortality (overall and prostate cancer-specific), complications, health service use, and cost. Methods This population-based cohort study used Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results – Medicare data. Eligible patients were men aged 66 or older and diagnosed with high-risk prostate cancer between 1996 and 2003. Outcomes evaluated were 10-year overall mortality and prostate cancer-specific mortality, complications, health service use, and cost. We used Cox regression, Poisson regression, and Generalized Linear Model (GLM) log-link models to assess the outcomes. Main findings The 10-year overall mortality of EBRT + ADT was comparable to that of the RP group (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.09, confidence interval [CI] = 0.72–1.66). The EBRT + BT ± ADT group had overall survival advantage compared to RP (HR = 0.47, CI = 0.31–0.73). Compared to the RP group, EBRT + ADT group had higher 10-year prostate cancer-specific mortality (HR = 2.19, CI = 1.92–5.21). Both EBRT + ADT and EBRT + BT ± ADT were associated with higher 10-year cost (odds ratio = 1.72, CI = 1.35–2.20; and odds ratio = 1.63, CI = 1.29–2.04), compared to RP group. Complications and health service use varied across 3 treatment groups and across phases of care. Principal conclusions Our results also demonstrate long-term overall survival benefits for EBRT + BT ± ADT, and greater bowel and bladder side effects over a decade, compared to RP. The RP group had advantage for long-term prostate-cancer specific mortality, compared to EBRT + ADT group. Thus, RP can provide superior cancer control with clear cost advantage for older men with high-risk disease. In terms of value proposition, our results support RP as preferred treatment option, compared to EBRT + ADT and EBRT + BT ± ADT for high-risk prostate cancer patients.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text, Background: In the context of prostate cancer (PCa) characterized by the multiple alternative treatment strategies, comparative effectiveness analysis is essential for informed decision-making. We analyzed the comparative effectiveness of PCa treatments through systematic review and meta-analysis with a focus on outcomes that matter most to newly diagnosed localized PCa patients. Methods: We performed a systematic review of literature published in English from 1995 to October 2016. A search strategy was employed using terms “prostate cancer,” “localized,” “outcomes,” “mortality,” “health related quality of life,” and “complications” to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective, and retrospective studies. For observational studies, only those adjusting for selection bias using propensity-score or instrumental-variables approaches were included. Multivariable adjusted hazard ratio was used to assess all-cause and disease-specific mortality. Funnel plots were used to assess the level of bias. Results: Our search strategy yielded 58 articles, of which 29 were RCTs, 6 were prospective studies, and 23 were retrospective studies. The studies provided moderate data for the patient-centered outcome of mortality. Radical prostatectomy demonstrated mortality benefit compared to watchful waiting (all-cause HR = 0.63 CI = 0.45, 0.87; disease-specific HR = 0.48 CI = 0.40, 0.58), and radiation therapy (all-cause HR = 0.65 CI = 0.57, 0.74; disease-specific HR = 0.51 CI = 0.40, 0.65). However, we had minimal comparative information about tradeoffs between and within treatment for other patient-centered outcomes in the short and long-term. Conclusion: Lack of patient-centered outcomes in comparative effectiveness research in localized PCa is a major hurdle to informed and shared decision-making. More rigorous studies that can integrate patient-centered and intermediate outcomes in addition to mortality are needed.

Objective To determine the minimal important difference (MID) in generic and prostate-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using distribution- and anchor-based methods. Study Design and Setting Prospective cohort study of 602 newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients recruited from an urban academic hospital and a Veterans Administration hospital. Participants completed generic (SF-36) and prostate-specific HRQoL surveys at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months posttreatment. Anchor-based and distribution-based methods were used to develop MID estimates. We compared the proportion of participants returning to baseline based on MID estimates from the two methods. Results MID estimates derived from combining distribution- and anchor-based methods for the SF-36 subscales are physical function = 7, role physical = 14, role emotional = 12, vitality = 9, mental health = 6, social function = 9, bodily pain = 9, and general health = 8; and for the prostate-specific scales are urinary function = 8, bowel function = 7, sexual function = 8, urinary bother = 9, bowel bother = 8, and sexual bother = 11. Proportions of participants returning to baseline values corresponding to MID estimates from the two methods were comparable. Conclusions This is the first study to assess the MID for generic and prostate-specific HRQoL using anchor-based and distribution-based methods. Although variation exists in the MID estimates derived from these two methods, the recovery patterns corresponding to these estimates were comparable.

Purpose To examine the effect of percutaneous thermal ablation of renal masses on renal function among patients with baseline chronic kidney disease (CKD). Materials And Methods Patients with baseline CKD (initial glomerular filtration rate [GFR] 2 ) who underwent percutaneous cryoablation or radiofrequency (RF) ablation of renal masses were reviewed. Results A total of 48 patients with a GRF of 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 or lower were treated with renal cryoablation or RF ablation and had follow-up GFR measurement 1 month afterward. Mean patient age was 73 years (range, 47–89 y). Cryoablation was performed in 22 patients and RF ablation was performed in 26. Mean tumor diameter was 3.4 cm (range, 0.9–10.2 cm). Mean overall GFRs were 39.8 mL/min/1.73 m 2 at baseline and 39.7 mL/min/1.73 m 2 at 1 month after ablation ( P = .85). A total of 38 patients had 1-year follow-up GFR measurement (cryoablation, n=18; RF ablation, n=20), and their mean GFR was 40.9 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ± 11.4 (SD), compared with a preablation GFR of 41.2 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ( P = .79). In the cryoablation group, mean GFRs at 1 month and 1 year were 41.4 mL/min/1.73 m 2 and 44.4 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , compared with respective baseline GFRs of 41.1 mL/min/1.73 m 2 and 42.1 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ( P = .75 and P = .19, respectively). In the RF ablation group, mean GFRs at 1 month and 1 year were 38.2 mL/min/1.73 m 2 and 37.8 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , compared with respective baseline GFRs of 38.7 mL/min/1.73 m 2 and 40.4 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ( P = .58 and P = .09, respectively). Conclusions Independent of ablation modality, percutaneous renal mass ablation does not appear to affect renal function among patients with CKD.

We analyzed the association between ethnicity and outcomes among prostate cancer patients across hospital and surgeon volume groups.In this retrospective cohort study using SEER-Medicare databases for the period between 1995 and 2003, prostate cancer cases were identified and retrospectively followed for one year pre- and up to eight years post-diagnosis. Based on volume, hospitals and surgeons were divided into three groups each. For each group, we fitted separate models to analyze the association between ethnicity and outcomes such as complications, eight-year mortality and cost, adjusting for covariates. Poisson (zero inflation), generalized linear model (log-link), and Cox regression models were used.African American ethnicity was associated with 30-day complications among medium volume hospital group. African American patients receiving care at medium volume hospitals and from medium volume surgeons had higher costs. Hispanic patients receiving care at low and medium volume hospitals had lower cost compared to white patients. Hispanic patients receiving care from a high-volume surgeon experienced increased hazard of long-term mortality.Association between ethnicity and outcomes varies across hospital and surgeon volume groups. Thus, volume based policy measures may need further exploration for understanding the interaction between structure, process, volume and outcomes.

Aim of this study: We retrospectively evaluated penile inflows in 103 previously potent individuals who underwent standard nerve sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) for the treatment of prostate cancer. No effort to identify or spare the accessory pudendal artery (APA) was made in any case. Our goal was to investigate the role of the accessory internal pudendal artery (APA) in the maintenance of erections in this population. We hypothesize that if the APA is present in a significant number of men, and its ligation significantly contributes to post-RRP impotence, then there should be an increased incidence of asymmetry between R/L cavernous arterial flows among post RRP patients with vascular impotence. Materials and methods: One hundred and three previously potent individuals complaining of persistent erectile dysfunction for at least six months after RRP were studied with color duplex Doppler, following age specific dosing of PGE1. Vascular assessment was performed before and after self-stimulation, measuring peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistive index (RI). Erections were visually rated as inadequate (INA), adequate (ADE) for penetration, or excellent (EXC) with sustained rigidity for at least 20 min. Cavernous artery asymmetry (CAA) was defined as a >10 cm/s difference between right and left sided arterial flows. Results: Mean duration between surgery and Doppler study was 14.7 months. 27 out of 103 (26%) of patients developed excellent rigidity consistent with isolated neurogenic impotence (PSV=32.0 cm/s, mean RI=0.95); 24 out of 103 (23%) had adequate vascular responses making it impossible to infer presence or absences of neurogenic impotence; 52 out of 103 (51%) had inadequate rigidity consistent with vascular insufficiency (PSV=23.7 cm/s, mean RI=0.66). We noted that of patients with EXC response, 48% (13 out of 27) had CAA. Among patients with severe inflow disease (INA responders), CAA was seen in only 21% of cases (11 out of 52). Conclusions: The incidence of APA has been reported as being from 4–70%, and its significance in the maintenance of erections has been questioned. Assuming that the APA provides significant inflow in some patients, we expected an increase in CAA in individuals in whom it was sacrificed. We found a higher incidence of CAA among post-RRP patients with normal vascular erectile responses to PGE1 (48%) compared to men with true vasculogenic impotence post-RRP (21%). These data do not support the importance of the APA in the maintenance of erections in the post-RRP patient.

Objectives Stage T1c carcinoma of the prostate is defined as a nonpalpable carcinoma (NPC-P) that is not visible by imaging and is identified by needle biopsy performed because of elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentrations. The purpose of this study was to define the incidence of normal findings on transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and/or endorectal coil magnetic resonance imaging (EMRI) among patients with NPC-P, as well as to investigate the value of differentiating patients with Stage T1c disease from all other patients with NPC-P. Methods The records of 2211 patients diagnosed with prostate carcinoma between 1988 and 1995 were reviewed to identify 291 men with NPC-P. TRUS and EMRI reports were analyzed with regard to the presence and laterally of hypoechoic nodules or low-signal areas reported on T2-weighted images, respectively. Ninety percent of patients (n = 262) had at least six prostate biopsies, 185 patients (64%) underwent both TRUS and EMRI, 224 (77%) had TRUS, and 251 (86%) had an EMRI study. Results Results were considered normal in 101 (47%) of 214 patients undergoing TRUS, in 58 (23%) of 249 undergoing EMRI, and in 22 (12%) of 185 undergoing both TRUS and EMRI. For the side of the prostate with positive biopsy results, correlation with imaging abnormalities was better for EMRI than for TRUS (39% versus 24%). There was no significant difference in mean PSA value, distribution of Gleason score, or unilateral versus bilateral positive biopsy results among patients with normal versus abnormal findings on both TRUS and EMRI. Conclusions (1) Only 12% of men with NPC-P have no TRUS or EMRI abnormalities, fulfilling the criteria for Stage T1c prostate carcinoma. (2) Those patients with Stage T1c disease do not differ from patients with NPC-P up-staged by TRUS or EMRI, with regard to pretreatment PSA levels, Gleason scores, and the probability of having bilateral rather than unilateral positive biopsy results. (3) The value of classifying patients with NPC-P into Stage T1c versus higher stages of prostate carcinoma on the basis of imaging should be questioned.

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy and safety of prophylactic embolization of angiomyolipomas (AMLs) larger than 10 cm. Materials and Methods Sixteen patients (mean age, 41.2 years; 14 women and two men) underwent embolization for 23 AMLs larger than 10 cm. All lesions were embolized by using microcatheters with ethanol and ethiodized oil mixed to a ratio of 7(ethanol) to 3(ethiodized oil). Data collected included pre- and posttreatment AML size, creatinine level, technical success, volume of embolic material used, clinical success, and complications. Results The mean AML size before treatment was 15 cm (range, 10–25 cm). Ten of the 16 patients (62%) had all their AMLs treated in one session, whereas six (38%) required multiple sessions. A mean volume of 8.6 mL of the ethanol–ethiodized oil mixture (range, 2–20 mL) was administered per lesion. Patients were followed up for a mean of 29 months (range, 1–80 months). No patient had an increase of 0.2 mg/dL (17.7 μmol/L) or greater in mean serum creatinine level during the follow-up period. Two of the 16 patients (12%) required repeat embolization due to AML regrowth ( n = 1) or reperfusion ( n = 1) seen at surveillance imaging. One of the 16 patients (6.2%) had an AML hemorrhage 59 months after AML embolization. Conclusions Embolization of giant renal AMLs to decrease the risk of bleeding can be done safely without loss of renal function. Although recurrence was infrequent, additional treatment may be necessary and giant renal AMLs should be followed up with serial imaging studies.

The clinical utility of the percent of positive prostate biopsies in predicting prostate-specific antigen (PSA) outcome following radical prostatectomy (RP), or external beam radiation therapy (RT), for men with PSA detected, or clinically palpable prostate cancer was investigated. After accounting for the established prognostic significance of the PSA level, biopsy Gleason score and the clinical T-stage, the percent of positive prostate biopsies added clinically significant information regarding time to PSA failure following RP. These findings were validated in the intermediate risk patients using an independent surgical and radiation data set. Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases (2000) 3, 259-264

Objectives. Both the benign and malignant prostatic epithelial components of the prostate gland contribute to the serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. Therefore, for a given PSA, the presence of benign hyperplastic prostate tissue (BHPT) may indicate a lower cancer burden. This study was performed to assess the impact of varying amounts of BHPT on PSA failure free (bNED) survival after radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer. Methods. Cox regression multivariable analyses were performed to assess the ability of the clinical stage, PSA, biopsy Gleason score, and prostate gland volume to predict time to postoperative PSA failure in 885 patients. Results. In addition to the PSA (P < 0.0001), biopsy Gleason score of 8 to 10 (P < 0.0001) and of 7 (P = 0.05), and clinical Stage T2c,3a (P < 0.0001) and T2b (P = 0.0016), the prostatectomy prostate gland volume (P < 0.0001) was a significant predictor of time to postoperative PSA failure. Patients with a prostatectomy prostate gland volume greater than 75 cm3 had a 100% 4-year bNED survival and favorable pathologic characteristics (pathologic Stage T2, 85%; prostatectomy Gleason score 6 or less, 78% and 7, 22%; and negative margins, 95%) despite a preoperative PSA of 10 to 20 ng/mL and more than 20 ng/mL in 28% and 13% of these men, respectively. In 75% of these cases, lead time bias because of PSA driven repeat biopsies provided an explanation. Conclusions. Lead time bias because of PSA driven repeat biopsy accounted for the high 4-year bNED survival and favorable pathologic findings for most patients who had prostate cancer coexisting in a prostate gland comprised of BHPT and a total gland volume in excess of 75 cm3. An additional explanation is needed, however, for the remaining patients.

Context.—Interstitial radiation (implant) therapy is used to treat clinically localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate, but how it compares with other treatments is not known.Objective.—To estimate control of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after radical prostatectomy (RP), external beam radiation (RT), or implant with or without neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer.Design.—Retrospective cohort study of outcome data compared using Cox regression multivariable analyses.Setting and Patients.—A total of 1872 men treated between January 1989 and October 1997 with an RP (n=888) or implant with or without neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (n=218) at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, or RT (n=766) at the Joint Center for Radiation Therapy, Boston, Mass, were enrolled.Main Outcome Measure.—Actuarial freedom from PSA failure (defined as PSA outcome).Results.—The relative risk (RR) of PSA failure in low-risk patients (stage T1c, T2a and PSA level ≤10 ng/mL and Gleason score ≤6) treated using RT, implant plus androgen deprivation therapy, or implant therapy was 1.1 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5-2.7), 0.5 (95% CI, 0.1-1.9), and 1.1 (95% CI, 0.3-3.6), respectively, compared with those patients treated with RP. The RRs of PSA failure in the intermediate-risk patients (stage T2b or Gleason score of 7 or PSA level >10 and ≤20 ng/mL) and high-risk patients (stage T2c or PSA level >20 ng/mL or Gleason score ≥8) treated with implant compared with RP were 3.1 (95% CI, 1.5-6.1) and 3.0 (95% CI, 1.8-5.0), respectively. The addition of androgen deprivation to implant therapy did not improve PSA outcome in high-risk patients but resulted in a PSA outcome that was not statistically different compared with the results obtained using RP or RT in intermediate-risk patients. These results were unchanged when patients were stratified using the traditional rankings of biopsy Gleason scores of 2 through 4 vs 5 through 6 vs 7 vs 8 through 10.Conclusions.—Low-risk patients had estimates of 5-year PSA outcome after treatment with RP, RT, or implant with or without neoadjuvant androgen deprivation that were not statistically different, whereas intermediate- and high-risk patients treated with RP or RT did better then those treated by implant. Prospective randomized trials are needed to verify these findings.

Context.—Preemptive analgesia can decrease the sensitization of the central nervous system that would ordinarily amplify subsequent nociceptive input, but a clear demonstration of its clinical efficacy is necessary for it to become a routine component of acute pain therapy.Objective.—To determine the impact of preemptive epidural analgesia on postoperative pain and other clinically important outcome variables after radical retropubic prostatectomy.Design and Setting.—A block randomized double-blind clinical trial lasting 20 months at a single academic medical center.Patients.—A total of 100 generally healthy and neurologically intact patients scheduled for radical retropubic prostatectomy for the treatment of prostate cancer in whom an epidural catheter for treating postoperative pain was to be placed prior to the induction of general anesthesia.Interventions.—Epidural bupivacaine, epidural fentanyl, or no epidural drug was administered prior to induction of anesthesia and throughout the entire operation, followed by aggressive postoperative epidural analgesia for all patients.Main Outcome Measures.—Daily pain scores during hospitalization and pain scores obtained 3.5, 5.5, and 9.5 weeks after hospital discharge.Results.—The patients who received epidural fentanyl or bupivacaine prior to surgical incision (preemptive analgesia) experienced 33% less pain while hospitalized (P=.007). Pain scores in those receiving preemptive analgesia were significantly lower at 9.5 weeks (P=.02), but were not significantly different at 3.5 or 5.5 weeks. At 9.5 weeks, 32 (86%) of 37 patients receiving preemptive analgesia were pain-free compared with 9 (47%) of 19 control patients (P=.004). Patients receiving preemptive analgesia were more active 3.5 weeks after surgery (P=.01), but not at 5.5 or 9.5 weeks.Conclusions.—Even in the presence of aggressive postoperative pain management, preemptive epidural analgesia significantly decreases postoperative pain during hospitalization and long after discharge, and is associated with increased activity levels after discharge.

The classification of urothelial neoplasms of the kidney traditionally has been similar to that of urinary bladder tumors. Several years ago, the classification of papillary urothelial neoplasms was revised. The current study focuses on the application of the 1998 World Health Organization (WHO)/International Society of Urological Pathology classification system to 102 renal pelvic urothelial neoplasms and compares it to the 1973 WHO classification scheme. In this study, all tumors were classified as urothelial carcinomas, and the majority (85%) were papillary. Most patients with papillary tumors presented with 'superficial' disease (< or = pT1). With the 1998 system, most papillary carcinomas were high grade, and were more often invasive as compared to low-grade tumors. Only 34% were low-grade papillary tumors and, of these, most (93%) were noninvasive. With the 1973 system, most papillary tumors were grade 2 or 3, with invasion more common in grade 3 tumors. By 1973 criteria, grade 2 tumors were a heterogeneous group; with 1998 criteria, nearly one-half were high grade and the other half low grade. The grade of papillary urothelial carcinomas with both the 1973 and 1998 grading methods was associated with stage (P=0.001). Our study reveals that papillomas and papillary urothelial neoplasms of low malignant potential are uncommon tumors in the kidney. Renal pelvic papillary urothelial neoplasms are most often carcinomas and are more commonly high grade than low grade. Although both the 1973 and 1998 systems showed a significant association with tumor stage, grade 2 papillary carcinomas are a heterogeneous group by 1973 criteria. The 1998 system provides useful information in that it more clearly defines a papillary tumor's grade and selects for a group of tumors, namely low-grade papillary urothelial carcinomas, for which a low likelihood of invasion can be predicted.