Management of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma

Abstract

We review the epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), with a distinction between the different risk groups. Endoscopic treatment with laser ablation of tumors has an evolving role in treating low-grade UTUC including select large and multifocal tumors, along with complementary topical chemotherapeutic treatment that can reach difficult intrarenal locations. Template lymphadenectomy is recommended in patients undergoing nephroureterectomy. A recent randomized control trial showed benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy after radical nephroureterectomy for locally advanced disease. Advances in immunologic therapy have shown promise in treating metastatic UTUC, and immunologic-based therapies have been incorporated into treatment regimens. Notable progress has been made in both the surgical and medical treatment arms for UTUC, thus extending the reach of nephron-sparing therapy for those with localized disease and increasing overall survival for those with locally advanced disease.