- 1101 Glendale Blvd., Unit 107 A, Valparaiso, Indiana, 46383
- (219) 286-6888
- 1101 Glendale Blvd., Unit 107 A, Valparaiso, Indiana, 46383
The ureters are long, muscular tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Ureteral cancer is not very common and it most often occurs in older men with a history of cigarette smoking and in people with a history of bladder cancer. It starts in the lining of the ureter that is in contact with urine, called the urothelium, and may progress and involve deeper structures of the ureteral wall and beyond.
Symptoms of ureteral cancer may include:
Diagnosing ureteral cancer requires imaging as well as tissue sampling. This allows the physician to accurately diagnose the type of cancer you may have so we can determine the best treatment plan for you.
Ureteroscopy refers to using a small camera to look inside the ureter and kidney and allows sampling (biopsy) of abnormal tissue at the same time if necessary.
Imaging studies such as CT scans and/or MRIs are often used to identify potential cancerous tissue in other parts of the body. This is referred to as staging of the cancer.
Ultrasound may also be used to evaluate for kidney obstruction that may result from ureteral cancer.
Blood tests will be obtained to determine kidney function.
Urine testing may be obtained to check for blood, infection and cancerous cells.
Depending on its size, location and aggressiveness, ureteral cancer can sometimes be removed or ablated endoscopically. In cases of larger and/or more aggressive cancers, other more invasive treatments may be necessary. These treatments may include partial ureterectomy (removal of part of the ureter) and nephroureterectomy (complete removal of kidney and entire ureter).
Other nonsurgical treatments that may be recommended include chemotherapy, immunotherapy and/or radiotherapy.
The more advanced and the more aggressive the cancer, the higher the chance of needing additional treatments of different kinds to treat it.
Cancer of the ureter arises within the ureter, which is a long muscular structure that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.
Urethral cancer, on the other hand, originates within the urethra which is a shorter but wider tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body.
The two cancers are also treated differently.
Yes, ureteral cancer can be cured if and when it’s caught early and has not yet spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of ureteral cancer are not specific, however, if you experience blood in the urine, back pain and/or abdominal pain, you should report this to your doctor right away to exclude ureteral cancer.
We are dedicated to compassionate and comprehensive urologic care, offering you necessary and appropriate evaluations and treatments that you may need to feel and be healthy. With years of experience in urologic care, we are the team that you can trust.
Urologic Surgery of NWI is your source of reliable information and excellent urologic cancer care in the region. We closely collaborate with our radiation oncology and medical oncology colleagues to improve your cancer outcomes. Please contact us today to schedule your consultation appointment.
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