PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a rare malignancy posing significant diagnostic and management challenges. This review provides an overview of the evidence supporting various imaging modalities and offers insights into future innovations in UTUC imaging. RECENT FINDINGS: With the growing use of advancements in computed tomography (CT) technologies for both staging and follow-up of UTUC patients, continuous innovations aim to enhance performance and minimize the risk of excessive exposure to ionizing radiation and iodinated contrast medium. In patients unable to undergo CT, magnetic resonance imaging serves as an alternative imaging modality, though its sensitivity is lower than CT. Positron emission tomography, particularly with innovative radiotracers and theranostics, has the potential to significantly advance precision medicine in UTUC. Endoscopic imaging techniques including advanced modalities seem to be promising in improved visualization and diagnostic accuracy, however, evidence remains scarce. Radiomics and radiogenomics present emerging tools for noninvasive tumor characterization and prognosis. SUMMARY: The landscape of imaging for UTUC is rapidly evolving, with significant advancements across various modalities promising improved diagnostic accuracy, patient outcomes, and safety.
- MeSH
- Carcinoma, Transitional Cell * diagnosis diagnostic imaging therapy pathology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging methods MeSH
- Kidney Neoplasms diagnostic imaging therapy diagnosis pathology MeSH
- Ureteral Neoplasms diagnostic imaging diagnosis therapy pathology MeSH
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed methods MeSH
- Positron-Emission Tomography methods MeSH
- Neoplasm Staging MeSH
- Urologic Neoplasms diagnosis diagnostic imaging therapy pathology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
Urotelové karcinómy horných močových ciest (UTUCs - upper tract urothelial carcinomas) sú relatívne menej časté a zahŕňajú 5-10 % všetkých urotelových nádorov. Etiológia a prirodzený vývoj UTUCs sú podobné ako pri urotelových karcinómoch močového mechúra. Histologicky sú karcinómy z prechodných buniek najčastejšími nádormi obličkovej panvičky a močovodu. Existuje mnoho rizikových faktorov pre UTUCs vrátane environmentálnych a genetických rizikových faktorov. Najčastejším príznakom UTUC je hematúria, buď makroskopická, alebo mikroskopická (u 70-80 %), bolesť v boku (pri 20 % nádorov) a hmatateľná bedrová masa (prítomná v približne v 10 %). CT (computed tomography) urografia (CTU) sa stala zobrazovacou metódou voľby na vyhodnotenie UTUC. Pokroky v endoskopických technikách pomohli pri diagnostike, klasifikácii a liečbe tohto ochorenia. Možnosti terapie zahŕňajú viacero spôsobov. Zlatým štandardom chirurgického manažmentu UTUCs je radikálna nefroureterektómia (RNU) s excíziou manžety močového mechúra, ktorá sa v čoraz väčšej miere vykonáva laparoskopicky alebo roboticky s použitím rôznych postupov pre distálny ureter. Neustále sa zvyšuje počet endoskopicky liečených pacientov, s vynikajúcimi onkologickými výsledkami najmä pri ochorení s nízkym (priaznivým) stupňom malignity. Lokálna aplikácia chemoterapeutických prípravkov bola extrapolovaná zo skúseností z karcinómu močového mechúra a môže byť doplnkom k endoskopickému manažmentu u pacientov, u ktorých je nevyhnutné vyhnúť sa RNU.
Upper tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUCs) are relatively uncommon and comprises 5-10 % of all urothelial tumors. Etiology and natural history of UTUCs is similar to that of urothelial cell carcinomas in bladder. Histologically, the most renal pelvic and ureteral cancers are transitional cell carcinomas. There are many risk factors for UTUCs, including environmental and genetic risk factors. Most common symptom of UTUCs is hematuria, either gross or microscopic (70-80 %), flank pain (in 20 % of tumors) and a lumbar mass (present in approximately 10 %). CT urography (CTU) has become the imaging modality of choice for evaluation of UTUC. Advancements in endoscopic techniques have aided in the diagnosis, grading and treatment of this disease. Treatment options include many modalities. The gold standard surgical management of UTUCs is radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) with excision of bladder cuff, which is increasingly being performed laparoscopically or robotically with various methods use for distal ureter. There are increasing numbers of patients being treated endoscopically, with excellent oncological outcomes in low (favourable) grade disease. The use of topical chemotherapy agents has been extrapolated from bladder cancer and may be an adjunct to endoscopic management in those patients in whom it is imperative to avoid RNU.
- MeSH
- Diagnostic Techniques, Urological classification MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Mass Screening MeSH
- Risk Factors MeSH
- Urologic Surgical Procedures classification methods MeSH
- Urologic Neoplasms * surgery diagnostic imaging epidemiology drug therapy classification MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Case Reports MeSH
- Review MeSH
