Primary adenocarcinoma of ureter mimicking pyelonephritis

Abstract

Tumors of the ureter are rare. We present a case of primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the ureter diagnosed as chronic pyelonephritis preoperatively. This tumor is postulated to arise from metaplastic glandular mucosa in response to chronic irritation of the urothelium.

Primary adenocarcinoma of the renal pelvis, ureter and the urinary bladder: A case report and review of the literature

“…At present, ~100 cases have been reported in the English medical literature (PubMed, Elsevier, Medline, Springer and EBSCO). The highest numbers of reported cases are from Japan (12 cases) and India (10 cases), while other areas of the world have reported occasional cases (9).…”

“…The abdominal examination revealed a 20x15 cm smooth, firm, non-tender and ballotable mass in the right lumbar area that extended to the right hypochondrium. Routine hematological investigations revealed a white blood cell count of 7.9x10 9 cells/l (normal range, 3.5x10 9 -9.5x10 9 cells/l), a hemoglobin level of 89 g/l (normal range, 130-175 g/l) and a platelet count of 493x10 9 platelets/l (normal range, 100x10 9 -300x10 9 platelets/l). The urine examination revealed packed pus cells and red blood cells, and the culture was sterile.…”

Incidental mucinous adenocarcinoma in situ of renal pelvis presenting as severe hydronephrosis

“…The definite diagnosis in nearly all of the reported cases has been made after pathologic examination of the resected specimen (1,2). Imaging studies had no role in the diagnosis of the previous cases and this tumor in the renal pelvis has been missed by radiologic studies (9). Prognosis of this type of tumor in renal pelvis has been reported as poor and most of them have recurred in less than 2 years (11).…”

Late Recurrence of Sigmoid Carcinoma Mimicking Primary Ureteral Cancer: Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…In our case the first symptom was macroscopic hematuria. Hematuria is the most common presenting sign of primary adenocarcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter, however it is infrequent in metastatic tumors since the mucosa of the urinary tract is rarely involved (8). Three types of metastatic ureteral involvement havebeen described 1-infiltration of the periureteral adventitial soft tissues with resultant compression of the ureteral wall; 2-transmural or a portion of the layers of the ureter with evidence of tumor cells in the muscular coat, perilymphatic components, or vascular components of the ureter; and 3-involvement of the local mucosa, with or without involvement of the muscularis of the ureter, and submucosal nodules (7).…”