Comparison of surgical effectiveness: kidney sparing surgery for upper tract urothelial carcinoma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review provides an overview of the recent publications on kidney-sparing-surgery (KSS) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), an alternative to radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for an increasing number of indications. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies highlight comparable survival outcomes between KSS [ureterorenoscopy with tumour ablation (URS) or segmental ureteral resection (SUR)] and RNU, even in high-risk UTUC patients. KSS has shown to preserve renal function without significantly compromising oncologic control in appropriately selected patients. Included literature also researched surgical complications, surveillance strategies, such as second-look ureteroscopy, and comparative cost analyses. SUMMARY: Over the past two and a half years, studies have emphasized the growing usage of URS and SUR in treating selected UTUC patients. Recent literature has remarkably included relatively large numbers of typically high-risk patients with features such as high-grade tumours, stage >Ta, multifocality, and hydronephrosis with acceptable results. Further research should expand on the different indications for KSS, its postoperative surveillance and comparative economic analyses.