Transitional Cell Cancer of the Renal Pelvis and Ureter Treatment Option Overview for Transitional Cell Cancer of the Renal Pelvis and Ureter

There are different types of treatment for patients with transitional cell cancer of the renal pelvis and ureter.

Different types of treatments are available for people with transitional cell cancer of the renal pelvis and ureter. You and your cancer care team will work together to decide your treatment plan, which may include more than one type of treatment. Many factors will be considered, such as the stage of the cancer, your overall health, and your preferences. Your plan will include information about your cancer, the goals of treatment, your treatment options and the possible side effects, and the expected length of treatment. 

Talking with your cancer care team before treatment begins about what to expect will be helpful. You’ll want to learn what you need to do before treatment begins, how you’ll feel while going through it, and what kind of help you will need. To learn more, see Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Treatment. 

The following type of treatment is used:

Surgery

One of the following surgical procedures may be used to treat transitional cell cancer of the renal pelvis and ureter:

• Nephroureterectomy is surgery to remove the entire kidney, the ureter, and the bladder cuff (tissue that connects the ureter to the bladder). Most people with transitional cell cancer of the renal pelvis and ureter undergo nephroureterectomy.
• Segmental resection of the ureter is a surgical procedure to remove the part of the ureter that contains cancer and some of the healthy tissue around it. The ends of the ureter are then reattached. This treatment is used when the cancer is superficial and in the lower third of the ureter only, near the bladder.

New types of treatment are being tested in clinical trials.

For some people, joining a clinical trial may be an option. There are different types of clinical trials for people with cancer. For example, a treatment trial tests new treatments or new ways of using current treatments. Supportive care and palliative care trials look at ways to improve quality of life, especially for those who have side effects from cancer and its treatment.

You can use the clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials accepting participants. The search allows you to filter trials based on the type of cancer, your age, and where the trials are being done. Clinical trials supported by other organizations can be found on the ClinicalTrials.gov website.

Learn more about clinical trials, including how to find and join one, at Clinical Trials Information for Patients and Caregivers.

This summary section describes treatments that are being studied in clinical trials. It may not mention every new treatment being studied.

Fulguration

Fulguration is a surgical procedure that destroys tissue using an electric current. A tool with a small wire loop on the end is used to remove the cancer or to burn away the tumor with electricity.

Segmental resection of the renal pelvis

This is a surgical procedure to remove localized cancer from the renal pelvis without removing the entire kidney. Segmental resection may be done to save kidney function when the other kidney is damaged or has already been removed.

Laser surgery

A laser beam (narrow beam of intense light) is used as a knife to remove the cancer. A laser beam can also be used to kill the cancer cells. This procedure may also be called laser fulguration.

Regional chemotherapy and regional immunotherapy

Chemotherapy (also called chemo) uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping the cells from dividing. To learn more about chemotherapy, see Chemotherapy to Treat Cancer and Chemotherapy and You: Support for People With Cancer.

Immunotherapy helps a person’s immune system fight cancer. Learn more about Immunotherapy to Treat Cancer.

Regional treatment for transitional cell cancer of renal pelvis and ureter is a method of placing the chemotherapy or immunotherapy drug directly into the renal pelvis or the ureter to mainly affect cancer cells in those areas.

Treatment for transitional cell cancer of the renal pelvis and ureter may cause side effects.

For information about side effects caused by treatment for cancer, visit our Side Effects page.

Follow-up care may be needed.

As you go through treatment, you will have follow-up tests or check-ups. Some tests that were done to diagnose or stage the cancer may be repeated to see how well the treatment is working. Decisions about whether to continue, change, or stop treatment may be based on the results of these tests.

Some of the tests will continue to be done from time to time after treatment has ended. The results of these tests can show if your condition has changed or if the cancer has recurred (come back).