A Clinical Observation on the Renal Pelvis and Ureteral Tumors

Lee, Young Ho; Choi, Soo Eung

Abstract

A clinical observation was made on 14 cases of transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter whose diagnosis was confirmed pathologically at Kyung Hee University Hospital during the period tom November, 1971 to June, 1984. The results were as follows 1. The age of patient at the time of the diagnosis ranged from 42 to 75 years (mean 57.9 years), with highest incidence during the 6th decade. 11 tumors occurred in male patients and 3 in female patients, for a ratio of 3.7 : 1. 2. Common presenting symptoms were gross hematuria (92.8 %) and pain (28.5 %). 3. IVP was performed in all patients. A filling defect in the renal pelvis or ureter was found in 6 cases, and non-visualized kidney in 6 cases. RGP was performed in 9 patients and was useful to demonstrate a filling defect. 4. Urine cytology was positive in 6 of 13 patients. 5. Nephroureterectomy including a cuff of bladder was performed in 13 patients and simple nephrectomy was done in 1 patient who was misdiagnosed as hydronephrosis due to UPJ obstruction. 6. The tumors were staged into 4 Stages postoperatively. 5 patients had Stage A tumors, 2 Stage B, 5 Stage C and 2 Stage D. 1 patient had Grade I tumor, 6 Grade II, 4 Grade III and 3 Grade IV. In 3 patients, there were synchronous tumors in renal pelvis and ureter. Three patients subsequently developed bladder tumor. 7. 7 patients were died in 3 to 18 months (average 7.8 months) after initial treatment and all were categorized into Stage C and D.