Squamous cell carcinoma of the uroepithelium: CT evaluation

Fourteen cases of primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) originating in the uroepithelium were studied with computed tomography (CT). Nine cases were of vesical origin, three were of renal pelvic origin, and two were of ureteral origin. CT scans of eight of the 14 cases, including four cases of vesical origin and four cases of renal pelvic or ureteral origin, demonstrated predominantly extraluminal extension with invasion into adjacent organs or the renal parenchyma. CT scans of the remaining six cases showed almost equal extra- and intraluminal tumor growth and no predominantly intraluminal extension. An associated urinary stone was demonstrated in four of the five cases of SCC of renal pelvic or ureteral origin. Two of these cases were diagnosed as urinary stones before CT was performed. Eight of the nine cases of SCC of vesical origin and four of the five cases of SCC of renal pelvic or ureteral origin were correctly staged with the aid of CT.