"As is the case with urothelial carcinomas elsewhere, renal pelvis tumours are more common in males and are typically diagnosed between 60-70 years of age 3,4."
"Urothelial carcinomas are typically of soft tissue density (8-30 HU) with only mild enhancement (18-55 HU), usually significantly less enhancing than renal parenchyma or renal cell carcinomas (although the distinction cannot always be made) 1,4. They are usually centred on the renal pelvis (rather than the renal parenchyma as is the case with RCC) and range in size from small filling defects (difficult to see without distension or collecting system contrast) to large masses which obliterate the renal sinus fat (UC is one of the causes of the so-called faceless kidney) 2."
"Urothelial carcinomas are typically of soft tissue density (8-30 HU) with only mild enhancement (18-55 HU), usually significantly less enhancing than renal parenchyma or renal cell carcinomas (although the distinction cannot always be made) 1,4. They are usually centred on the renal pelvis (rather than the renal parenchyma as is the case with RCC) and range in size from small filling defects (difficult to see without distension or collecting system contrast) to large masses which obliterate the renal sinus fat (UC is one of the causes of the so-called faceless kidney) 2."
"In cases of the tumour being small and located at the pelviureteric junction with resultant hydronephrosis, a small soft tissue mass should be sought. In contrast to congenital PUJ obstruction, the calyces are typically dilated, and the renal pelvis wall may be thickened 1."
"A critical part of the management of patients with urothelial carcinomas is an awareness of the high rate of recurrence due to field effect on the urothelium. Approximately 40% of patients with an upper urinary tract UC will go on to develop one or more UCs of the bladder 3."
Expected headings
"CT or conventional urography and direct pyelography"
"Some patients only present once metastatic disease becomes symptomatic, with constitutional symptoms (e.g. weight loss) or focal symptoms due to a metastatic deposit (e.g. pathological fracture)."
"Plain radiograph has little role to play in the diagnosis or assessment of urothelial carcinomas. Rarely a large mass may be seen; even in such cases, findings are non-specific. Tumoural calcification is rare, seen in only 2-7% 1,4."
"Urothelial carcinomas are typically of soft tissue density (8-30 HU) with only mild enhancement (18-55 HU), usually significantly less enhancing than renal parenchyma or renal cell carcinomas (although the distinction cannot always be made) 1,4. They are usually centred on the renal pelvis (rather than the renal parenchyma as is the case with RCC) and range in size from small filling defects (difficult to see without distension or collecting system contrast) to large masses which obliterate the renal sinus fat (UC is one of the causes of the so-called faceless kidney) 2."