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Kidney anatomy
Kidney anatomy
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Cancer - renal pelvis or ureter

Definition:
Cancerof the renal pelvis or ureter involves the growth of cancerous cells in the collection system of the kidney. This includes the part of the kidney (the pelvis and its subdivisions or calyces) that empties urine into the ureter, which leads to the bladder.

Alternative Names:
Transitional cell cancer of the renal pelvis or ureter

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

As a group, renal pelvis and ureter carcinomas are uncommon and account for no more than 5% of all cancers of the kidney and upper genitourinary tract. They affect men more commonly than women and are more common in people older than 65.

Tumors of the renal pelvis and ureter are usually transitional cell cancers. Approximately 10% are squamous cell carcinomas.

The causes of this cancer are not completely known. Chronic irritation of the kidney from harmful substances excreted in the urine may be a factor and may result from the following:

  • Smoking
  • Analgesic nephropathy
  • Exposure to aniline dyes and chemicals used in the manufacturing of leather goods, textiles, plastics, and rubber

Patients with a previous history of bladder cancer are also at risk.



Review Date: 8/4/2002
Reviewed By: Kevin Knopf, M.D., M.P.H., Hematologist/Oncologist and Director of Clinical Research, Annapolis Oncology/Hematology Center, Annapolis, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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