[Imaging of upper urinary tract tumors]

Urothelial tumors of the upper urinary tract are mainly represented by transitional cell carcinomas. They are usually multifocal, synchronous or metachronous. Patients most often present with hematuria. Histological staging is according to the degree of cellular anaplasia (grade) as well as to the degree of wall invasion (stage). Accurate and differential diagnosis are by excretory urography (EU) and/or by computed tomography (CT) associated with EU. EU and endoscopic investigations assess tumoral extension. The most appropriate treatment is radical nephroureterectomy with a cuff of bladder. Early and high recurrence is common; therefore a regular follow-up is required and depends on the initial treatment and the tumoral aggressiveness. This follow-up is performed by imaging, endoscopic and cytologic investigations.