Primary mucus-secreting adenocarcinoma of the renal pelvis

Mucus-secreting adenocarcinoma of the renal pelvis is an extremely rare tumor. It arises from multipotential transitional epithelium which is capable of undergoing metaplastic transformation when subjected to chronic irritation from calculi, hydronephrosis, or pyelonephritis. Women are affected slightly more often than men. Tumor invasion implies a poor prognosis. Long-term survival occurs but is infrequent. In the case reported, preoperative angiography yielded useful diagnostic information.