Primary Carcinoma of the Renal Pelvis and Ureter

Abstract

Tumors of the renal pelvis are relatively rare in comparison to neoplasms that arise from the renal parenchyma. In general, they comprise 7%–8% of all malignant renal tumors (Bloom et al. 1970; Lucke and Schlumberger 1957). However, significant variation of geographic distribution has been noted. In Yugoslavia particularly, where an extremely high frequency was found, an association with endemic nephropathy appears to be well established (Petkovic 1975). Some environmental factors associated with bladder cancer, i.e., cigarette smoking, probably coffee drinking, and work with leather, are also related to cancer of the renal pelvis and ureter (Armstrong et al. 1976; Schmauz and Cole 1974). Prolonged abuse of phenacetin has been linked to the development of pelvic and ureteric tumors affecting predominantly the female population of certain countries (Armstrong et al. 1976; Johansson and Wahlquist 1977). The average age of the patients varies between 60 and 70 years and the ratio of incidence in males versus females is approximately 2:1. A rare familial form of multiple transitional cell carcinomas has been described recently (Gittes 1978).