A Clinical Observation on Tumors of the Renal Pelvis and Ureter

Lee, Won Ho; Chang, Sae Kook

Abstract

Primary tumor of the renal pelvis and ureter is relatively rare disease, but usually malignant. It's prognosis is dependent upon the early detection, accurate diagnosis, procedure for treatment, and tumor grade and stage. Therefore, urologist should endeavor after accurate diagnosis and definitive treatment. A clinical observation was done on the 11 patients with renal pelvic tumor and the 3 patients with ureteral tumor at the Department of Urology, Kyungpook National University Hospital during the period of 4 years from January, 1978 to December, 1981. The results were as follows: 1. There were 9 men and 5 women, giving a ratio of 1.8 to 1. The average age at presentation of the 14 patients was 51.4 years. 2. On excretory urogram, nonvisualization of the kidney was the most prevalent sign in 10 patients. Retrograde pyelogram was done in 11 patients in whom findings of IVP were not sufficient for diagnosis. Renal angi0graphy was done in 9 patients. 3. Urine cytology was positive in 2 of 14 patients. 4. Of the 13 patients treated, 12 were proved to have transitional cell carcinoma, and 1 was leiomyoma. In 3 of the 11 patients with renal pelvic tumor, Concomitant ureteral tumor was present at diagnosis. And in 2 of the 11 patients with renal pelvic tumor developed subsequent urothelial tumors in the ureter and/or bladder after simple nephrectomy. 5. Nephroureterectomy including resection of a bladder cuff was done in 11 patients, and in 2 of these was also performed lymphadenectomy. Simple nephrectomy was done in 2 patients with renal pelvic tumor under the misdiagnosis of renaltuberculosis. 6. Postoperative complications developed in 3 cases, wound infection, pneumothorax, and death, in each case.