WALK WITH US DISCUSSION FORUMS DONATE NOW
  • English
  • Français
Bladder Cancer CanadaBladder Cancer CanadaBladder Cancer CanadaBladder Cancer Canada
  • ABOUT US
    • Our Mission/Vision
    • Board Of Directors
    • Medical Advisory
      and Research Board
    • Sponsors & Partners
    • Financial Statements and Annual Report
    • Contact Us
  • FACING
    BLADDER CANCER
    • Newly Diagnosed?
    • Canadian Patient Guidebooks
    • Dealing With Emotions
    • Get Support
    • Join a Discussion Forum
    • Videos
    • Webinar Recordings
    • Patient Resources
  • HELPFUL
    INFORMATION
    • Bladder Cancer Facts
    • See Red?
    • Symptoms
    • Bladder Cancer Basics
      • How The Body Works
      • Types of Bladder Cancer
      • Causes
      • Diagnosis
      • Staging and Grading
    • How will my cancer be treated?
      • Nonmuscle Invasive
      • Muscle Invasive
      • Bladder Preservation
      • Metastatic Bladder Cancer
    • Bladder Removal
      • Diversion Types
      • Common Issues
      • Chemotherapy
      • After Your Surgery
      • At Home
    • Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma
    • Palliative Care
    • Doctor Resources
    • Glossary
    • Links
  • STORIES,
    NEWS & EVENTS
    • Latest News & Stories
    • Upcoming Meetings And Events
    • Newsletter Archive
  • RESEARCH and
    CLINICAL TRIALS
    • Canadian Bladder Cancer Information System
    • Clinical Trials
    • BCC Funded Research
    • BCC Research Grant
  • GET
    INVOLVED
    • Canada Walks for Bladder Cancer
    • Volunteer
    • Host A Fundraiser
    • Subscribe To Our Newsletter
  • DONATE NOW
    • General Donations
    • Honour & Memorial Donations
    • Join an Awareness Walk
    • Planned Giving
    • Employer Matching Gifts
    • Donate a Vehicle
    • Where Your Donations Go

UPPER TRACT UROTHELIAL CARCINOMA

UPPER TRACT UROTHELIAL CARCINOMA

Urothelial cancer refers to a cancer of the lining of the urinary system.  While the majority of urothelial cancers (approximately 90-95%) arise in the bladder, upper tract urothelial cancers (UTUCs) arise in the lining of the kidney (called the renal pelvis) or the ureter (the long, thin tube that connects that kidney to the bladder).

In addition to the signs of bladder cancer, individuals with UTUC may also experience pain in the upper abdomen or mid-back in the region of the kidney. UTUCs can block the ureter or kidney, causing blockage of the kidney (known as hydronephrosis), and they can even affect kidney function in some patients.

Like bladder cancers, UTUCs can develop as low- or high-grade tumours.

In general, low-grade tumors are not invasive and very rarely spread from the kidney or ureter to other sites.  However, they often recur in the kidney, ureter and bladder. Management involves biopsy and ablation (removal by burning with laser or cautery) of the tumour through a camera (ureteroscope) that is passed into the ureter through the bladder. It is important to try to preserve the kidney, but the kidney does have to be removed if the tumour is too extensive.

High-grade UTUC has the potential to spread from the kidney or ureter to lymph nodes, lung and bone. It is most often treated with surgical removal of the kidney and ureter – an operation called radical nephrouretectomy.

Due to the high risk of distant spread, it may also be suggested that a patient receive systemic chemotherapy either before or after surgery, to reduce the risk of recurrence.  It is often advantageous to give chemotherapy before surgery because the kidney function will decrease after removal of the kidney which may affect the ability to give the chemotherapy. Where appropriate these cancers could be managed, with input from a multidisciplinary team.

    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-NEWSLETTER

    *Indicates required fields



    GET IN TOUCH

    Address

    4936 Yonge Street
    Suite 1000
    Toronto, ON M2N 6S3

    Charitable Reg No.

    83612 6060 RR0001

    Phone
    1-866-674-8889
    Email & Media Contact

    info@bladdercancercanada.org

    SEND US A MESSAGE
    • Privacy Policy
    • Discussion Forum
    • Contact Us
    • Donate Now
    • ABOUT US
      • Our Mission/Vision
      • Board Of Directors
      • Medical Advisory
        and Research Board
      • Sponsors & Partners
      • Financial Statements and Annual Report
      • Contact Us
    • FACING
      BLADDER CANCER
      • Newly Diagnosed?
      • Canadian Patient Guidebooks
      • Dealing With Emotions
      • Get Support
      • Join a Discussion Forum
      • Videos
      • Webinar Recordings
      • Patient Resources
    • HELPFUL
      INFORMATION
      • Bladder Cancer Facts
      • See Red?
      • Symptoms
      • Bladder Cancer Basics
        • How The Body Works
        • Types of Bladder Cancer
        • Causes
        • Diagnosis
        • Staging and Grading
      • How will my cancer be treated?
        • Nonmuscle Invasive
        • Muscle Invasive
        • Bladder Preservation
        • Metastatic Bladder Cancer
      • Bladder Removal
        • Diversion Types
        • Common Issues
        • Chemotherapy
        • After Your Surgery
        • At Home
      • Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma
      • Palliative Care
      • Doctor Resources
      • Glossary
      • Links
    • STORIES,
      NEWS & EVENTS
      • Latest News & Stories
      • Upcoming Meetings And Events
      • Newsletter Archive
    • RESEARCH and
      CLINICAL TRIALS
      • Canadian Bladder Cancer Information System
      • Clinical Trials
      • BCC Funded Research
      • BCC Research Grant
    • GET
      INVOLVED
      • Canada Walks for Bladder Cancer
      • Volunteer
      • Host A Fundraiser
      • Subscribe To Our Newsletter
    • DONATE NOW
      • General Donations
      • Honour & Memorial Donations
      • Join an Awareness Walk
      • Planned Giving
      • Employer Matching Gifts
      • Donate a Vehicle
      • Where Your Donations Go
    Bladder Cancer Canada

    ×

    [email-download download_id=”29527″ contact_form_id=”29542″]

    ×