Ureteric tumours
What are ureteric tumours?
Ureteric tumours and cancers are rare, being most common in adults aged over 70. They can cause ureteric obstruction, and many people who develop them will also develop bladder cancer. If you receive a bladder cancer diagnosis at any point in your life, frequent tests are recommended to ensure you do not develop ureteric tumours in addition.
Sandhurst Urology offers diagnosis, management, and medical intervention for ureteric tumours from our clinic in Bendigo. To book an appointment, please ask your GP for a referral.
Symptoms of ureteric tumours
Symptoms of ureteric tumours may include:
- Bladder irritation
- Blood stained urine (haematuria)
- Pain in the lower back or side
- Difficulty urinating
- Urinary incontinence
- Pain during or after sex
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
Remember that your own experience with a ureteric tumour is individual – you may not experience every symptom and may experience slightly different symptoms to those specified. For further advice and diagnosis, ask your GP for a referral to Sandhurst Urology.
How ureteric tumours are diagnosed
Ureteric tumours are diagnosed using several tests. Your GP or urologist will usually conduct a physical exam first, asking about your health history and symptoms. If they suspect a ureteric tumour, they may request the following tests:
Ureteroscopy/cystoscopy
These tests involve passing a catheter equipped with a small camera into your body, usually through the urethra. Your urologist uses the camera to visually inspect your bladder and ureters for abnormalities.
Ureteroscopy/cystoscopy
These tests involve passing a catheter equipped with a small camera into your body, usually through the urethra. Your urologist uses the camera to visually inspect your bladder and ureters for abnormalities.
Other imaging tests
Your doctor may request x-rays, MRIs, CT scans, or other tests that can show physical abnormalities in your ureters. These images may also be used to plan for surgery if needed.
Urine cytology
You may be asked to provide a small urine sample in a cup, which will be sent to a pathology lab and analysed for cancer cells.
Urinalysis
A study which checks the appearance and contents of your urine, particularly looking for sugar, protein, red blood cell, and white blood cell abnormalities that could indicate impeded kidney function and accompanying ureteric problems.
Preventing ureteric tumours
There are many factors in the development of ureteric tumours – such as your age, gender, genetics, and previous medical history – which cannot be avoided or minimised. The main influencing factor which you can control is smoking.
As the body excretes many of tobacco’s harmful chemicals through the urine, smoking tobacco is particularly likely to harm your ureters. Quitting smoking is highly advised and likely to reduce your risk of developing ureteric tumours, as well as bladder cancers, kidney cancers, and many other urological conditions.
Treatments for ureteric tumours
- Chemotherapy – powerful chemicals may be administered as medication to kill cancer’s fast-growing cells. They are usually delivered directly into a vein, but may be administered directly to the ureteric tumour in some cases.
- Radiotherapy – this uses x-rays, gamma rays, photon beams, or other targeted radiation to kill the tumour while minimising harm to healthy cells.
- Targeted therapies ¬– these medications act on the cancer’s specific genes, proteins, or tissue environment to stop it from growing. Targeted therapy treatments can be very individualised and are often offered in conjunction with other therapies.
- Immunotherapy – most often administered intravenously during a hospital stay, these therapies improve your immune system’s ability to find, attack, and kill cancer cells.
- Lifestyle modifications – while they will not actively fight your tumour, altering the way you live may help reduce the tumour’s symptoms.
Medical interventions for ureteric tumours
The most common treatment for ureteric tumours is surgery: if it is needed, your options will vary according to the type of tumour you have, its size, and your overall heath. Your urologist will recommend the most suitable option after thoroughly evaluating your condition.
Treatments offered through Sandhurst Urology’s Bendigo clinic include:
Providing Excellent Urological Care of the Highest Standards
Book a consultation with Sandhurst Urology today