Association between lymphovascular invasion and oncologic outcomes among upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy

Purpose To determine the association between lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) among patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). Materials and methods From 2003 and 2018, retrospective data of 453 patients treated for UTUC with open, laparoscopic, or robotic RNU were collected. Pathological specimens were assessed for LVI through hematoxylin and eosin staining. According to presence of LVI, patients were stratified into two groups and compared for perioperative characteristics. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess progression-free (PFS), cancer-specific (CSS), and overall survival (OS). Uni- and multivariate Cox regression models were used to find significance of LVI to survival. Results LVI was present in 132 (29.1%) of patients and was associated with higher age and lower preoperative GFR. Pathological outcomes included significantly higher tumor grade, higher rates of lymph node invasion and more positive surgical margins. During median 23.2 months follow-up (mean 37.1 months), 59.2% (n = 268) of total patients had tumor recurrence, with highest incidences in lymph nodes (51.5%). 5-year PFS, CSS, and OS were estimated at 35.4%, 94.6%, and 91.1% in LVI-negative patients and 17.2%, 75.1%, and 70.8% in LVI-positive patients, respectively (all p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed LVI to be an independent predictor of PFS (HR = 1.480; p = 0.018). Conclusion LVI is an independent predictor of adverse PFS and is associated with poor CSS and OS in patients undergoing RNU for UTUC. These results may guide clinicians in selecting patients for adjuvant chemotherapy. Future prospective trials are necessary to further validate our results.