KIDNEY OBSTRUCTION AND BLADDER-CANCER - POOR PROGNOSIS

Between 9/86 and 2/90 189 bladder cancer patients underwent radical su rgery. 42 of these patients had preoperatively tumor-related uni- or b ilateral kidney obstruction. 4 of 42 patients were found to be inopera ble. The remaining 38 underwent radical cystectomy. pT3b and pT2 tumor stages were most frequently found. Lymph node involvement was detecte d in 12 of the 38 cases. During a follow-up of 3 to 47 months, 25/38 p atients did not show evidence of tumor relapse. 12 had a tumor progres sion, of which 7 have died so far. Survival rates of patients with tum or related kidney obstruction are obviously not different from patient s with unobstructed upper tract and with comparable tumor stages. A co nsiderable number of patients has tumors of low stage. Therefore, a tu mor related obstruction should not be regarded as a case against radic al surgery.