Malignant tumours of the renal pelvis

A review of the clinical data of 22 patients with malignant tumours of the renal pelvis, accounting for 10% of the total patient material of renal tumours, is presented. The earliest manifestation was prevalently haematuria, less often pain. In two thirds of the cases the diagnosis was established on radiological evidence and in one third the process remained undetected until surgical exposure of the kidney. The diagnostic difficulties involved by tumours of the renal pelvis and the value of the diagnostic methods are discussed. Nephroureterectomy with excision of a cuff of bladder was carried out in 15, nephrectomy in 5 cases. Three of the 22 patients have survived five years. Early diagnosis followed by total nephroureterectomy without delay may bring some improvement in the poor prognosis of these tumours.