Objective: To evaluate diagnostic techniques, treatment and follow-up in 94 patients affected of upper urinary tract tumor.
Patients and method: From 1978 to december 2002 we operated 105 patients due to upper urinary tract tumor, although only 94 are valid for analysis. Mean age was 65 years and 85% were man. Haematuria was the most frequent symptom.
Results: Urography (93%), ecography (77%) and CT (67%) were the most used diagnostic techniques. Pelvic tumor was the most frequent (71%) and total nephroureterectomy including bladder cuff the chosen treatment (76.4%). Previous or simultaneous bladder tumor was observed in 23% cases and delayed in 30%. With a mean follow-up of 76 months the patient survival is 53%.
Conclusions: Due to the high frequence of previous, simultaneous or delayed bladder tumors, the upper urinary tract tumor should be considered as a panurothelial disease, worsening the outcome of this kind of tumors.