Background: Malignant ureteric obstruction occurs in a variety of cancers and has been typically associated with a poor prognosis. Percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) can potentially help increase patient longevity by establishing urinary drainage and treating renal failure. Our aim was to look at the outcomes of PCN in patients with advanced cancer and the impact on the patients’ lifespan and quality of life. Materials and Methods: A literature review was carried out for articles from 2000 to 2020 on PCN in patients with advanced malignancies, using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, clinicaltrials.gov, and Google Scholar. All English-language articles reporting on a minimum of 20 patients who underwent PCN for malignancy-associated ureteric obstruction were included. Results: A total of 21 articles (1674 patients) met the inclusion criteria with a mean of 60.2 years (range: 21–102 years). PCN was performed for ureteric obstruction secondary to urological malignancies (n = −633, 37.8%), gynaecological malignancies (n = 437, 26.1%), colorectal and GI malignancies (n = 216, 12.9%), and other specified malignancies (n = 205, 12.2%). The reported mean survival times varied from 2 to 8.5 months post PCN insertion, with an average survival time of 5.6 months, which depended on the cancer type, stage, and previous treatment. Conclusions: Patients with advanced malignancies who need PCN tend to have a survival rate under 12 months and spend a large proportion of this time in the hospital. Although the advent of newer chemotherapy and immunotherapy options has changed the landscape of managing advanced cancer, decisions on nephrostomy must be balanced with their survival and quality of life, which must be discussed with the patient.

IntroductionProstate cancer is the most common cancer amongst men in the UK. Treatments for malignant ureteric obstruction consist of percutaneous nephrostomy, ureteric stent insertion, or occasionally other forms of urinary diversion. Our aim was to look at the outcomes of percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) in patients with advanced prostate cancer and to look at the impact on patient's general health, quality of life, life expectancy and complications after PCN insertion.Material and methodsA systematic review of the literature was done for all prospective English language articles on PCN in patients with prostate cancer using PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane library, Clinicaltrials.gov, Google Scholar and individual urological journals from inception to August 2017. While studies involving prostate cancer patients were included, studies on all other mixed pelvic malignancies were excluded.ResultsSeven articles met the inclusion criteria. There were 184 patients, with a mean age of 70 years (range: 51–94 years). PCN was performed for ureteric obstruction due to advanced prostate cancer, patients underwent unilateral (n = 66) or bilateral PCN (n = 118) with conversion to an antegrade stent in 25 patients. Their post-PCN survival varied between 4–31 months and this was longer if they were hormone naïve or showed a good recovery in their renal function. Although the complication rates were low (1–3%), patients spend a high proportion of their lives in the hospital.ConclusionsPCNs should only be pursued after thoughtful counselling regarding further treatment options and prognosis as these patients with advanced malignancies seem to have reduced survival duration and spend a significant amount of time in hospital.

Introduction The diagnostic and management pathways for patients presenting with acute flank pain are complex. Although computed tomography (CT) of the kidneys, ureters and bladder (KUB) is the gold standard investigation for urolithiasis, the multitude of differential diagnoses must also be considered in the context of long-term risk from ionising radiation. This study investigated the integrated role and diagnostic yield of non-contrast CT in cases of acute flank pain. Methods A retrospective cohort study was undertaken of 1,442 consecutive patients investigated with CT KUB between March 2013 and February 2015. The primary outcome was diagnostic yield of CT with secondary outcomes being predictors of need for urological intervention. Results A cause for acute flank pain was identified in 717 patients (50%), there was an incidental finding in 389 patients (27%) and normal imaging was reported in 336 patients (23%). A diagnosis was more commonly made in male than in female patients (70% vs 40%) and with increasing age (46% in patients aged <30 years, 56% in those aged 30–49 years and 63% in those aged ≥50 years). The overall rate for an ipsilateral urinary tract stone was 41%. Factors strongly associated with emergency intervention included stone size >10mm (odds ratio [OR]: 11.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.3–42.7), stones located at the pelviureteric junction (OR: 7.8, 95% CI: 2.6–22.9), C-reactive protein >50mg/l and ≤100mg/l (OR: 15.2, 95% CI: 5.1–45.3), and estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤30ml/min (OR: 5.8, 95% CI: 1.5–21.8). Conclusions This contemporary study identifies age and sex as independent variables affecting the diagnostic yield of CT KUB in cases of acute flank pain, and highlights factors associated with a need for emergency intervention in proven ureteric stones.

A combined approach may decrease the number of separate interventions required, with the aim of removing the need for a long-term nephrostomy, as well as providing opportunity to treat ureteric calculi in the context of stricture disease. Our experience has been that where the rendezvous has been required to treat strictures caused by malignant extrinsic compression, stenting has not been successful; this information is key to informed consent in a group of patients who may have a limited life expectancy.

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