Treatment of urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis

Transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis is relatively uncommon, and only 5% of all urothelial carcinomas occur in the renal collecting system. Invasive tumors are often aggressive in their biological behavior and show a high tendency for systemic progression. Conservative therapy should only be considered an option in patients with imperative indications (solitary functioning kidney, bilateral tumor, renal insufficiency). In some cases, organ-sparing techniques such as open resection or endourological treatment (percutaneous or by ureteroscopy) can be performed. However, nephroureterectomy with excision of a bladder cuff is considered to be the standard treatment and should be performed whenever possible.