A ureteral carcinoma is what doctors call a cancer that is located in the ureter. Sometimes the ureter carcinoma is also called ureter cancer . In many cases, however, the tumor affects not only the ureter, but also the renal pelvis or the kidneys themselves. The prognosis depends on the stage at which the diagnosis of ureteral carcinoma is made.
What is ureteral carcinoma?
The ureter can be viewed as a classic tube of tissue. Its job is to carry urine directly from the kidneys to the bladder. Ureteral carcinoma is usually a malignant tumor which, strictly speaking, has affected the ureteral epithelium. However, based on the number of new cases of ureteral cancer, it must be said that this type of tumor occurs only rarely. For leptospirosis explained, please visit psyknowhow.com.
Above all, however, men are affected by the tumor; Women rarely get this rare type of cancer. Experts assume that this imbalance is influenced by the favorable factors of smoking and employment.
Causes
Smoking is cited as the most common cause. The constant consumption of nicotine is said to ensure that a carcinoma forms in the ureter. Based on that fact, it can also be assumed why men are more frequently affected by ureteral carcinoma; Finally, studies show that smokers are more common among men.
Furthermore, ureteral carcinoma is also regarded as a classic occupational disease. Especially for groups of people who mainly work with chemical substances (e.g. aromatic amines). These are said to promote or promote cancer formation.
Symptoms, Ailments & Signs
In many cases, the ureteral carcinoma goes unnoticed. Only at an advanced stage do patients notice that “something is wrong”. Those affected usually only seek medical attention when symptoms such as hematuria (clearly visible blood in the urine) or severe pain in the lower abdomen occur. Ureteral carcinoma is only very rarely discovered at an early stage. Ureteral carcinoma can only be diagnosed incidentally during a preventive medical check-up. Other symptoms include blockages or narrowing of the ureter ; here, too, the patient complains of severe pain.
Diagnosis & course of disease
The ureter is examined as part of a urological treatment. The urologist usually also diagnoses that the patient has ureteral carcinoma. First, the doctor goes to the symptoms – mainly the blood in the urine – on the track. Sonographic examinations are carried out, whereby the excretion urogram (AUG) also plays a role, so that the causes can be found, so that blood is visible in the urine.
It is important that before the urologist makes the diagnosis of ureteral carcinoma, other diseases can be ruled out. Similar symptoms are triggered by renal cell carcinoma, renal pelvis carcinoma or bladder carcinoma. Those carcinomas must therefore be excluded so that – after the exclusion process – only the ureteral carcinoma remains.
Especially since there are different therapeutic approaches; only when the diagnosis is 100 percent confirmed can treatment begin. The course of the disease and the prognosis depend on the stage at which the ureteral carcinoma was discovered or whether other regions are already affected by the tumor.
Complications
Since ureteral carcinoma is often not recognized until it is at an advanced stage, there are always complications. Typically, those affected suffer from severe pain in the lower abdomen, accompanied by constipation and narrowing of the ureters. As a result, complications such as intestinal obstruction, urinary retention and serious kidney damage can occur.
As the disease progresses, the symptoms also increase in intensity and frequency. The pain develops into a chronic condition that severely restricts those affected and reduces their quality of life. A severe course of the disease can also lead to the development of mental illnesses. In the course of the disease, the ureteral carcinoma can spread and affect other organs.
In the worst case, the tumor disease takes a fatal course, combined with serious complications up to organ failure and ultimately the death of the patient. Surgical intervention is problematic due to the location of the tumor and carries the risk of nerve, muscle and vascular injuries. Chemotherapy or radiotherapy is always a major burden for those affected and can have long-term effects such as osteoporosis and memory disorders. Scars may remain after laser treatment.
When should you go to the doctor?
In the case of a ureteral carcinoma, the affected person is dependent on a medical examination and treatment, since it cannot heal on its own. In the worst case, the cancer can spread throughout the body and thus lead to the death of the person concerned. Therefore, even at the first symptoms and signs of this disease, a doctor should be contacted.
A doctor should be contacted for ureteral carcinoma if the patient suffers from severe pain in the lower abdomen. In most cases, this also very often leads to a blockage or various inflammations of the ureters themselves. Painful urination can also indicate ureteral carcinoma. Bloody urine can also indicate this disease. The disease can be diagnosed and treated by a general practitioner. The disease may result in a reduced life expectancy. The further course depends heavily on the time of diagnosis, so that no general prediction can be made.
Treatment & Therapy
In the context of ureteral carcinoma, all therapy concepts are considered, which on the one hand contain an organ-preserving resection or also bring the desired success by means of laser therapy ; on the other hand, radical treatments must also be carried out if the ureteral carcinoma was discovered in the middle or late stage. When treating ureteral carcinoma, the doctor also pays attention to the renal pelvis; the therapy, regardless of whether it is ureteral carcinoma or sometimes renal pelvic cancer, is almost identical.
In many cases, when there is a risk of the ureteral carcinoma spreading, the renal pelvis is also treated. Surgical treatments are usually suggested. Conservative treatments, which only include treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy, are not used for such a tumor. This is because without an operation, the desired success of the recovery will not materialize at all.
However, before the patient undergoes surgery, he must undergo chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is often performed a few hours before surgery; Chemotherapy is also scheduled after the procedure. This is because studies have shown that chemotherapy, which is used immediately before and after the surgical procedure, has a good chance of success so that the tumor can be fought.
In many cases, however, simply removing the tumor cannot bring about the desired success. Probably also because in many cases one of the two kidneys is already affected. If this is the case, the ureter and also the kidney must be removed. Here the doctor speaks of a “radical removal”.
Due to the fact that ureteral carcinoma has a relatively high probability of recurrence, the patient should have check-ups at regular intervals – even after successful treatment. It is important, especially in the first three years, to check at regular intervals whether the tumor comes back or stays away for good and a 100 percent cure has occurred.
Prevention
Ureteral carcinoma can be prevented if any contributing factors are avoided. Cigarette consumption should be avoided altogether. Anyone who deals with chemical or carcinogenic substances that promote ureteral carcinoma should consider all possible protective measures so that the body is not directly exposed to the carcinogenic substances.
Aftercare
In most cases, those affected with ureteral carcinoma have only a few and usually only very limited measures of direct follow-up care available. For this reason, the affected person should consult a doctor at an early stage so that further complications or symptoms from this disease can be prevented. Self-healing cannot occur here, so that a doctor should be contacted at the first signs or symptoms.
Most of those affected are dependent on taking various medications, whereby care must be taken to ensure the correct dosage and regular intake. If you have any questions or are unclear, you should always contact a doctor first, and you should also consult a doctor if you have any side effects.
Many of those affected are dependent on the help and support of their own families because of the ureteral carcinoma. Support in everyday life is very important, and psychological support can also prevent depression and other mental health problems. It cannot be universally predicted whether ureteral carcinoma will lead to a reduced life expectancy for those affected. Early detection of the disease is therefore paramount.
You can do that yourself
The treatment of ureteral carcinoma can be supported by various measures. Rest and protection are the most important things. The therapy puts a lot of strain on the body and psyche. A lifestyle that helps to reduce stress and optimally supports conservative treatment is therefore all the more important.
In the case of carcinoma, the body needs a balanced diet. Vitamins, minerals and nutrients are particularly important, as they are used up more quickly due to malnutrition and physical stress. Appetizing foods such as chocolate or fruit help to counteract the loss of appetite. If in doubt, the doctor will prescribe appetite-stimulating medication. Inflammation of the mucous membranes can occur during chemotherapy. These can be treated by those affected by taking a bland diet. In addition, gentle toothpastes and mouthwashes should be used to avoid further irritation of the mouth and throat.
The psychological symptoms associated with cancer require talk therapy with an oncologist. Alongside this, we recommend talking to friends, family and other people who are suffering from ureteral carcinoma. The condition is easily treatable and accordingly, self-help should also be geared towards a long-term improvement in the state of health.
