Ureteral/Renal Pelvis Cancer
The kidney is made of two parts – the parenchyma (the outer portion of the kidney, which makes urine) and the collecting system (the inner portion of the kidney, which collects urine). The ureter is a small tube that drains urine from the collecting system into the bladder. When it is time to urinate, urine leaves the bladder through the urethra.
Ureteral cancer is a rare cancer affecting the ureter. Renal pelvis Cancer is a rare cancer affecting the collecting system of the kidney. It can be seen more commonly in patients who also bladder cancer or those who smoke.
Symptoms of ureteral cancer include blood in the urine, pain in the side, pain in the back, and/or unexpected weight loss.
Ureteral cancer is most commonly found during evaluation for either blood in the urine or hydronephrosis. It is diagnosed via ureteroscopy. Earlier stage ureteral cancers can be managed with regular ureteroscopy, sometime in combination with medication instilled directly into the urinary tract. Later stage ureteral cancers generally require partial ureterectomy (removal of the tumor), nephroureterectomy (removal of the entire kidney and ureter), and/or some combination of chemotherapy.