Ureteral Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Ureteral cancer, a relatively rare growth of cells in the ureters, is more common in older adults and people with a history of bladder cancer. The cells lining the ureters are the same type used in the bladder, and those with ureteral cancer are at an increased risk of developing bladder cancer. Treatment for ureteral cancer typically involves surgery, with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy sometimes recommended in certain situations.
Key Takeaways:
- Ureteral cancer starts as a growth of cells in the ureters, which connect the kidneys to the bladder.
- Symptoms include blood in the urine, back pain, pain when urinating, losing weight without trying, and feeling very tired.
- Risk factors include increasing age, previous bladder or kidney cancer, smoking tobacco, exposure to certain chemicals, and family history of cancer.
- Diagnosis involves a physical exam, imaging tests, urine tests, and a thin, lighted tube to view the ureters.
- Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, which depend on the size and location of the cancer, its aggressiveness, and personal preferences.
- People with ureteral cancer have a higher risk of bladder cancer, and follow-up exams are necessary to monitor for signs of recurrence.
Statistics:
- Ureteral cancer occurs most often in people in their 70s and 80s.
- 75% of people diagnosed with ureteral cancer have a history of bladder cancer.
- Smoking tobacco raises the risk of ureteral cancer by 2-3 times.
- Exposure to certain chemicals increases the risk of ureteral cancer.
- The risk of ureteral cancer is higher in people with a family history of cancer.
Sources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (no date)
- National Cancer Institute (no date)
- American Cancer Society (no date)
- Lancet Oncology (no date)
- Journal of Clinical Oncology (no date)