[Upper urinary tract tumours]

To evaluate diagnostic techniques, treatment and follow-up in 94 patients affected of upper urinary tract tumor.

From 1978 to december 2002 we operated 105 patients due to upper urinary tract tumor, although only 94 are valid for analysis. Mean age was 65 years and 85% were man. Haematuria was the most frequent symptom.

Urography (93%), ecography (77%) and CT (67%) were the most used diagnostic techniques. Pelvic tumor was the most frequent (71%) and total nephroureterectomy including bladder cuff the chosen treatment (76.4%). Previous or simultaneous bladder tumor was observed in 23% cases and delayed in 30%. With a mean follow-up of 76 months the patient survival is 53%.

Due to the high frequence of previous, simultaneous or delayed bladder tumors, the upper urinary tract tumor should be considered as a panurothelial disease, worsening the outcome of this kind of tumors.