A Comparison of Upper Tract TCC Treated Conservatively with Boari Flap or Laser Fulguration

Abstract

We compare two conservative treatments for upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC), laser fulguration and Boari flap. We review the indications for these treatments and the short (32 months) and long term (144 months) outcomes. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 20 Boari flap patients and prospectively 13 laser fulguration patients. Results: There was an all-cause mortality of 10% for the Boari group and 23% for the laser group (log rank P 0.19) at 32 months. There was 40% mortality at 144 months for the Boari group. Conclusion: Oncological control can be effectively obtained with these conservative treatments. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of patient or tumour characteristics. The long term follow up for the Boari group can, with circumspection, be extrapolated to the laser group.