Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the lining of the upper urinary tract, which includes the renal pelvis (the part of the kidney where urine collects before moving to the ureter) and the ureters (the tubes which carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder).

The "urothelium" is the lining of these organs, and when cancer starts here, it's called urothelial cancer. Upper tract urothelial cancer is like bladder cancer, as both types of cancer arise from the urothelial cells.

Upper tract urothelial cancer can present with several symptoms. The most common and often the first sign is blood in the urine (hematuria), which can make the urine look pink, red or dark brown. Some people experience pain or discomfort in the back or side where the affected kidney is located. Frequent or painful urination may also be a symptom.

If upper tract urothelial cancer is suspected, your doctor may recommend several tests including urine studies to check for infection and cytology (to look for cancer cells). Additional imaging tests may include an ultrasound to detect abnormalities in the kidneys and ureters and often a CT Scan.

cystoscopy where a thin tube with a camera is inserted into the bladder to look for any abnormal areas. If upper tract disease is suspected, the urologist will also use the camera to look into the ureters (called a ureteroscopy). Samples (biopsies) may also be taken if needed.

The treatment for UTUC depends on factors like the stage, grade, and location of the cancer, as well as your overall health.

A nephroureterectomy is removal of the affected kidney and ureter. This can be done through open surgery or minimally invasive techniques (laparoscopy or robotic surgery).

n addition to surgery, depending on the stage and grade of the cancer, some patients may require systemic therapy (medications that go throughout the body). Chemotherapy may be used before or after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence.

After treatment, regular follow-up is essential because UTUC can recur or develop in other parts of the urinary tract, including the bladder.