Prognostic Implications of Postoperative Serum CYFRA Levels in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Current guidelines lack recommendations for serum tumor markers in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) undergoing radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). This study assessed the potential of the postoperative serum C-terminus of cytokeratin 19 (CYFRA21-1, CYFRA) level, hereafter referred to as poCY, as a predictor of early progression in patients treated with RNU. Methods: Overall, 117 patients were categorized into the high group (HG) or low group (LG) based on a poCY cutoff level of 3.5 ng/mL after excluding those who did not meet the inclusion criteria. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were used to measure cancer-specific survival (CSS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates. Multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: During a median follow-up of 34 months, the 5-year CSS and PFS rates were 79% and 66%, respectively. The HG had a significantly worse CSS and 2-year PFS than the LG. Multivariate analyses identified poCY and lymph node involvement (LNI) as independent prognostic factors. Regarding the 2-year PFS, poCY, LNI, and resection margin status (RM) emerged as independent prognostic factors. Conclusions: poCY, LNI, and RM predicted early progression following RNU in patients with UTUC. Patients with elevated poCY may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy, irrespective of their pathological findings.