Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Patient-derived Orthotopic Xenograft Models for Human Urothelial Cell Carcinoma and Colorectal Cancer Tumor Growth and Spontaneous Metastasis
Published on: May 12, 2019
Tumor characteristics of urothelial carcinoma on multidetector computerized tomography urography
Li-Jen Wang1, Yon-Cheong Wong, Kwai-Fong Ng
1Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China. lijenwang0918@gmail.com
Purpose:
We investigated the relationship between tumor characteristics of urothelial carcinoma and detectability on multidetector computerized tomography urography.
Materials And Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed all adult consecutive patients with hematuria who underwent multidetector computerized tomography urography during a 23-month period at our hospital. Patients with a final diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma verified by histological examination of surgical specimens were included in the study. The presence and location of urothelial carcinomas on multidetector computerized tomography urography without knowledge of final diagnosis were recorded. Tumor characteristics (location, size, histological classification and stage) were recorded based mainly on histological findings. The association between tumor characteristics and urothelial carcinoma detectability on multidetector computerized tomography urography was analyzed.
Results:
A total of 70 patients who underwent multidetector computerized tomography urography had 87 verified urothelial carcinomas. Of these carcinomas 6 (6.9%) were undetectable by multidetector computerized tomography urography, including 5 ureteral and 1 bladder urothelial carcinoma. Size of detectable and nondetectable tumors on multidetector computerized tomography urography differed significantly (3.05 +/- 1.79 vs 0.65 +/- 0.99 cm, respectively, p = 0.001). Tumor location (p = 0.009), tumor size 1 cm or larger (p = 0.003) and noncarcinoma in situ tumors (p = 0.001) were significantly associated with multidetector computerized tomography urography detectability. Conversely organ confined disease had no association with multidetector computerized tomography urography detectability. Multivariate analyses showed that noncarcinoma in situ tumor was a significant predictor of multidetector computerized tomography urography detectability (p = 0.001).
Conclusions:
Multidetector computerized tomography urography is useful for detecting nearly all urothelial carcinomas in adults with hematuria. Careful assessment by multidetector computerized tomography urography is needed to detect small (less than 1 cm) or ureteral urothelial carcinomas. It remains a challenge to detect carcinoma in situ tumors by multidetector computerized tomography urography. Thus, negative results of urothelial carcinomas on multidetector computerized tomography urography do not exclude the presence of carcinoma in situ tumors.
Related Concept Videos
Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
Imaging Studies IV: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Imaging Studies VI: Voiding Cystourethrography and Cystography
Imaging Studies V: Intravenous Urography and Retrograde Pyelography
Imaging Studies I: Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder Studies
Imaging Studies II: Ultrasonography

