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Cancer - renal pelvis or ureter |
| Definition: |
| Cancerof the renal pelvis or ureter involves the growth of cancerous cells in the collection system of the kidney. This includes the part of the kidney (the pelvis and its subdivisions or calyces) that empties urine into the ureter, which leads to the bladder.
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| Alternative Names: |
| Transitional cell cancer of the renal pelvis or ureter
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| Causes, incidence, and risk factors: |
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As a group, renal pelvis and ureter carcinomas are uncommon and account for no more than 5% of all cancers of the kidney and upper genitourinary tract. They affect men more commonly than women and are more common in people older than 65. Tumors of the renal pelvis and ureter are usually transitional cell cancers. Approximately 10% are squamous cell carcinomas. The causes of this cancer are not completely known. Chronic irritation of the kidney from harmful substances excreted in the urine may be a factor and may result from the following:
Patients with a previous history of bladder cancer are also at risk. |
| Symptoms: |
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| Signs and tests: |
Examination by touch (palpation) of the abdomen rarely reveals a mass or an enlarged kidney.
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| Treatment: |
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The goal of treatment is to eliminate the cancer. When the cancer has spread outside of the kidney or ureter, chemotherapy is often used. Because these tumors behave similarly to transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, the chemotherapy regimens used are similar to those used for bladder cancer. |
| Support Groups: |
| The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group. |
| Expectations (prognosis): |
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The outcome varies depending on the exact location of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread (metastasized). Cancer localized to the kidney or ureter can be cured with surgery. Cancer that has metastasized to other organs is usually not curable, though there are exceptions. |
| Complications: |
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| Calling your health care provider: |
| Call your health care provider if symptoms indicate carcinoma of the kidney may be present. |
| Prevention: |
| Wear protective equipment if exposure to nephrotoxic (kidney-poisoning) substances is likely. Minimize or stop smoking. Follow your health care provider's advice regarding use of medications, including over-the-counter analgesics. |
Reviewed By: Kevin Knopf, M.D., M.P.H., Hematologist/Oncologist and Director of Clinical Research, Annapolis Oncology/Hematology Center, Annapolis, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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