Cancer of the ureter
Cancer of the renal pelvis (small area in the centre of the kidney that the ureter arises from) and ureter are very rare. They are considered bladder cancers rather than kidney cancers. Higher incidence in men than women. The incidence rises from the age of 65 years and is even rarer under this age.
Risk factors are smoking, heavy usage of phenacetin (a pain relieve drug that is now banned) and possibly arsenic in drinking water. Over 90% of the tumours are transitional cell carcinomas.
Symptoms of ureter cancer
Blood/blood clots in the urine (haematuria)
Pain in the side of lower back
Pain or burning sensation on passing urine
Difficulty in passing urine
Some of these symptoms can be caused by other conditions such as infection.
Tests and diagnosis
Your doctor will discuss your symptoms and give you a thorough physical examination. Tests may also include:
- Urine tests (likely to be carried out initially to investigate for possible urinary tract infection or blood in the urine if not apparent)
- CT scan –may be a CT urogram (CT scan of the urinary tract)
- Intravenous urogram (IVU) –x-ray of the urinary system
- Utereroscopy
Treatments we offer
Radiotherapy kills cancer cells. It’s used in the early stages of cancer treatment or after it has started to spread. It can also be used to relieve pain and discomfort from cancer that has spread.
Chemotherapy is medication that treats your cancer. The drugs kill cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and spreading further.
Radiotherapy kills cancer cells. It’s used in the early stages of cancer treatment or after it has started to spread. It can also be used to relieve pain and discomfort from cancer that has spread.
Chemotherapy is medication that treats your cancer. The drugs kill cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and spreading further.
Meet our doctors
Everything we do is focused on designing better care for our patients. With a network of 12 specialist oncology treatment centres across the UK, we provide the most up-to-date treatments and technology as standard.
We attract and retain some of the most experienced doctors in the country, who all have a passion for improving patient outcomes and specialise in the treatment of different types of cancer.
Search for a centre near you
Springfield Cancer Centre, Lawn Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 7GU
Unit 710, Centennial Park, Centennial Avenue, Elstree, Borehamwood, WD6 3SZ
BMI St Martha Oncology Centre, 46 Harvey Road, Guildford, GU1 3LX
17 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, ME19 4UA
Sunrise Parkway, Linford Wood East, Milton Keynes, MK14 6LS
The Park Centre for oncology, Sherwood Lodge Drive, Burntstump Country Park, Nottingham, NG5 8RX
Spire Hospital, Chalybeate Close, Southampton, SO16 6UY