Diagnosis and Prognostic Factors of UTUC

Preoperative tumor staging and diagnosis are difficult with currently available imaging modalities, but clinical variables have been identified to enable risk stratification and distinguish high-risk and low-risk tumors (Baard et al., Nat Rev Urol 14:181–191, 2017). The EAU and Societe International d’Urologie (SIU)–International Consultation on Urological Diseases (ICUD) recommendations for imaging in UTUC diagnosis include urography using CT (CTU) or urography using MRI (Baard et al., Nat Rev Urol 14:181–191, 2017). In the standard diagnostic work-up, urine cytology and a cystoscopy are usually recommended to rule out a concomitant bladder tumor. In addition, diagnostic ureterorenoscopy and biopsy are recommended in patients in whom the findings of these procedures could influence treatment decisions, between radical nephroureterectomy and kidney-sparing treatment.