Role of endoscopy in the management of upper urinary tract tumors

Transitional cell carcinomas of the upper urinary tract are rare tumours that represent about 5% of all transitional cell carcinomas. The reference treatment is currently open nephroureterectomy. Low-grade or superficial urinary tract tumours have a good prognosis, similar to that of noninvasive bladder tumours (80% 5-year specific survival). The surgical management of upper urinary tract tumours is gradually evolving towards complete preservation of the upper urinary tract and renal parenchyma, when compatible with local conditions. Conservative endoscopic treatments (ureteroscopy, percutaneous treatment) provide good oncological results and constitute a possible alternative to nephroureterectomy for the systematic management of good prognosis tumours. The cost of endoscopy equipment and consumable items is currently a limiting factor to the widespread use of these techniques.