Adjuvant mitomycin C following endoscopic treatment of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: A variety of topical agents have been used for transitional cell carcinoma of the upper tract. Mitomycin C has limited systemic absorption when given intravesically because of its high molecular weight. We reviewed our experience with mitomycin C following endoscopic treatment of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since 1991, 19 patients (21 renal units) have undergone a total of 28 treatments with mitomycin C for high volume, recurrent or multifocal transitional cell carcinoma. Of the 19 patients 12 had an absolute indication for nephron sparing treatment. Following ureteroscopic biopsy and treatment of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma, 40 mg. mitomycin C in 3 divided doses was instilled via a ureteral catheter, which was clamped between doses to give an exposure time of 30 minutes. Eighteen patients have undergone ureteroscopic surveillance following a total of 26 treatments.

RESULTS: No systemic side effects occurred during or after treatment with mitomycin C. One patient had a prominent local inflammatory reaction following neodymium:YAG ablation and mitomycin C treatment of a renal pelvic tumor. The average size of the treated tumors was 17 mm. (range 5 to 30). The grade of the tumors (when known) was 1 in 5 patients, 1 to 2 in 2, 2 in 8 and 3 in 4. Most tumors were treated with either neodymium:YAG (6 cases) or holmium:YAG laser (8) or a combination of both (8). Following 1 to 4 treatments with mitomycin C 11 of 19 evaluable renal units (58%) were rendered free of disease. Six of those 11 renal units (54%) had an ipsilateral recurrence after a mean of 30 months of followup, 4 of which were treated endoscopically, and 7 (64%) are now disease-free without extirpative surgery. Four patients have undergone nephroureterectomy for persistent or recurrent disease. No patient has suffered local or distant progression of disease.

CONCLUSIONS: Instillation of mitomycin C for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma appears to be safe and can be considered for adjuvant treatment in select cases. More data are necessary to determine its efficacy.