ABSTRACT
Urothelial tumor is characterized by a tendency of multicentricity. We analyzed retrospectively 43 cases of the upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma from June 1980 to May 1990. Of these cases. 16 (37.2%) cases involved the transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (synchronous 6. metachronous 10). Of the metachronous group, the interval between treatment of the upper urinary tract lesion and the diagnosis of initial bladder tumor was within 1 year in 7 cases (70%) To compare the synchronous group to the metachronous group, the primary site of the upper urinary tract tumor was pelvis (1:4), ureter (2:2), pelvis + ureter (3:4). By histologic diagnosis, high grade (III, IV) and high stage (PT2-PT4) lesions of the upper urinary tract were 3:5 and 5:8. The 3 year cumulative survival rate of the upper urinary tract tumor without a history of bladder tumor, with the synchronous group and with the metachronous group was 59%, 50% and 62% respectively. There was no significant value (P>0.05) among them. Therefore it was considered that longer follow-ups and a larger series of patients were required.