Primary Carcinoma of the Ureter

Abstract
Records were reviewed for 44 patients with primary carcinoma of the ureter. The lesion was transitional cell carcinoma in 40 patients, squamous carcinoma in 3 and unclassified carcinoma in 1. The distal ureter was the site of origin in 73% of the patients. The overall 5 yr survival rate of 67% was influenced by the grade and the stage of the tumor. Other factors, such as age and sex of patient and multiplicity of tumors, did not have a significant influence on survival. Conservative management should be limited to patients with low grade non-invasive tumors confined to the distal ureter. Adjuvant radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy deserves further evaluation in the management of patients with invasive disease.