Metastatic carcinoma of the ureter

Three patients had carcinoma of the stomach, rectum, and lung, respectively, metastatic to the ureter in the absence of other known metastasis. Two of the three patients had abdominal pain, while the other patient had no upper urinary tract symptoms. All patients had excretory urograms that showed delayed or no excretion of contrast medium on the side of obstruction. Obstruction was confirmed with retrograde pyelography in each case. Two of three patients were treated with nephrectomy. Metastatic carcinoma of the ureter should be considered in patients with malignant disease with initial symptoms consistent with ureteral obstruction. The diagnosis may be suggested by pyelographic demonstration of an obstructed ureter. Symptomatic patients may require nephrectomy.