Ureteral carcinoma

Under a Ureteral carcinoma the doctor describes a cancer that is located in the ureter. Sometimes the ureteral carcinoma becomes too Ureter cancer called. In many cases, however, the tumor affects not only the ureter, but also the renal pelvis or the kidneys themselves. The prognosis depends on the stage at which the diagnosis of ureteral carcinoma is made.

What is ureteral cancer?

The ureter can be viewed as a classic tissue tube. Its job is to get the urine straight from the kidneys to the bladder. The Ureteral carcinoma usually represents a malignant tumor which, strictly speaking, has affected the ureter epithelium. However, due to the number of new cases of ureteral cancer, it must be said that this type of tumor rarely occurs.

However, it is mainly men who are affected by the tumor; Women rarely get this rare type of cancer. Experts believe that this imbalance is influenced by the factors favoring smoking and employment.

causes

Smoking is cited as the most common cause. The constant consumption of nicotine should ensure that a carcinoma forms in the ureter. On the basis of this fact it can also be assumed why men are more frequently affected by ureteral carcinoma; Finally, studies show that more men are smokers.

Furthermore, ureteral carcinoma is also viewed as a classic occupational disease. Especially for groups of people who mainly work with chemical substances (e.g. aromatic amines). Those should definitely promote or favor cancer formation.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

In many cases, the ureteral carcinoma goes unnoticed. Only at an advanced stage do patients notice that “something is wrong”. As a rule, those affected only see a doctor if symptoms such as hematuria (clearly visible blood in the urine) or severe pain in the lower abdomen occur. Ureteral cancer is very rarely discovered at an early stage. As part of a preventive examination, ureteral carcinoma can only be diagnosed by chance. Other symptoms include blockages or narrowing of the ureters; Here, too, the affected person complains of severe pain.

Diagnosis & course of disease

The ureter is examined as part of a urological treatment. As a rule, the urologist also makes the diagnosis that the patient is suffering from ureteral carcinoma. First of all, the doctor investigates the symptoms - mainly the blood in the urine. Sonographic examinations are carried out, whereby the excretory urogram (AUG) also plays a role, so that the causes can be found out so that blood is visible in the urine.

It is important that before the urologist makes the diagnosis of ureteral cancer, other diseases can be ruled out. Similar symptoms are triggered by renal cell carcinomas, renal pelvic carcinomas or bladder carcinomas. Those carcinomas must therefore be ruled out so that - after the elimination process - only the ureter carcinoma remains.

Especially since there are different therapeutic approaches; treatment can only be started when the diagnosis has been 100 percent confirmed. The course of the disease and the prognosis depend on the stage at which the ureteral carcinoma was discovered or whether other regions are already affected by the tumor.

Complications

Since ureteral carcinoma is often only recognized at an advanced stage, complications occur again and again. Typically, those affected suffer from severe pain in the lower abdomen, accompanied by constipation and a narrowing of the ureters. As a result, complications such as bowel obstruction, urinary retention and serious kidney damage can occur.

As the disease progresses, the symptoms also increase in intensity and frequency. The pain develops into a chronic ailment that severely restricts those affected and reduces the quality of life. A severe course of illness can also lead to the development of mental illness. In the course of the disease, the ureteral carcinoma can spread and affect other organs.

In the worst case, the tumor disease is fatal, with serious complications up to and including organ failure and ultimately the death of the patient.Surgical intervention is problematic due to the location of the tumor and carries the risk of nerve, muscle and vascular damage. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy is always a great burden for those affected and can have long-term consequences such as osteoporosis and memory disorders. Scars can remain after laser treatment.

When should you go to the doctor?

In the case of ureteral cancer, the person affected is dependent on a medical examination and treatment, as it cannot heal on its own. In the worst case, the cancer can spread throughout the body and thus lead to the death of the person concerned. A doctor should therefore be contacted at the first symptoms and signs of this disease.

A doctor should be contacted for ureteral cancer if the patient is suffering from severe pain in the lower part of the abdomen. In most cases, it also very often leads to a blockage or various inflammations of the ureter itself. Pain when urinating can also be an indication of the ureteral carcinoma. Bloody urine can also indicate this disease. The disease can be recognized and treated by a general practitioner. The disease may reduce life expectancy. The further course depends heavily on the time of diagnosis, so that no general prediction can be made.

Therapy & Treatment

In the context of ureteral carcinoma, all therapy concepts are taken into account, which on the one hand include an organ-preserving resection or which also bring the desired success using laser therapy; on the other hand, radical treatments must also be carried out if the ureteral cancer was detected in the middle or late stage. When treating ureteral cancer, the doctor also pays attention to the renal pelvis; the therapy, regardless of whether it is ureteral cancer or sometimes renal pelvic cancer, is almost identical.

In many cases, when the ureteral cancer is at risk of spreading, the renal pelvis is also treated. As a rule, surgical treatments are suggested. Conservative treatments that only include treatment using chemotherapy or radiation therapy are not used for such a tumor. This is because, without an operation, the desired recovery will not be achieved at all.

However, before the patient is operated on, he must undergo chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is often carried out a few hours before the operation; After the procedure, chemotherapy is also scheduled. This is because studies have shown that chemotherapies that are used immediately before and after the surgical procedure have a good chance of success so that the tumor can be combated.

In many cases, however, simply removing the tumor cannot bring the desired result. Probably also because in many cases one of the two kidneys is also affected. If this is the case, the ureter and the kidney must be removed. Here the doctor speaks of a "radical removal".

Due to the fact that ureteral carcinoma has a relatively high likelihood of recurrence, the patient should - even after successful treatment - have check-ups at regular intervals. It is important, especially in the first three years, to check at regular intervals whether the tumor comes back or stays away and 100 percent healing has occurred.

prevention

Ureter cancer can be prevented if any favorable factors are avoided. For example, cigarette consumption should be avoided entirely. Anyone who deals with chemical or carcinogenic substances that promote ureteral cancer should consider all possible protective measures so that the body is not directly exposed to the carcinogenic substances.

Aftercare

In most cases of ureteral cancer, those affected have only a few and usually only very limited direct follow-up measures available. For this reason, the person affected should consult a doctor at an early stage so that further complications or complaints from this disease can be prevented. Self-healing cannot occur, so that a doctor should be contacted at the first signs or symptoms.

Most of those affected are dependent on the intake of various medications, whereby the correct dosage and regular intake must be ensured. If you have any questions or if anything is unclear, a doctor should always be contacted first, and the doctor should also be consulted in the event of side effects.

Many of those affected are dependent on the help and support of their own families because of the ureteral cancer. Support in everyday life is very important, although psychological support can also prevent depression and other psychological complaints. Whether the ureteral carcinoma will lead to a reduced life expectancy for the person affected cannot be universally predicted. The early detection of the disease is therefore in the foreground.

You can do that yourself

The treatment of ureteral cancer can be supported by various measures. First and foremost, calm and protection are important. The therapy places a great strain on the body and mind. It is all the more important to have a lifestyle that contributes to reducing stress and optimally supports conservative treatment.

With cancer, the body needs a balanced diet. Vitamins, minerals and nutrients are particularly important, as these are used up more quickly due to malnutrition and physical stress. To counteract the loss of appetite, appetite-increasing foods such as chocolate or fruit help. If in doubt, the doctor will prescribe appetite-stimulating medication. Inflammation of the mucous membranes can occur during chemotherapy. These can be treated supportively by those affected by taking light foods. In addition, gentle toothpastes and mouthwashes should be used to avoid further irritation of the mouth and throat.

The psychological complaints associated with cancer require talk therapy with an oncologist. In addition, many conversations with friends, family and other people who suffer from ureteral cancer are recommended. The condition is easy to treat and, accordingly, self-help should be geared towards long-term improvement in health.