Kidney CT Appearances
Ureteral Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) CT Findings
- Urothelial thickening
- Abnormal urothelial enhancement (particularly when asymmetric, focal, and in conjunction with thickening)
- Ureteral calcification
- Periureteral fat stranding
- Discrete filling defect or mass
- Look for site of transition and proximal hydronephrosis & hydroureter
Other Information About Ureteral TCC
Etiology:
- Associated with bladder cancer
- Smoking increases risk
Epidemiology:
- Most commonly detected in patients in 7th and 8th decades of life
Presentation:
- Hematuria
- Back pain
- Painful urination
Prognosis:
- 5-year survival rate is 90% if detected before spread
- After spread, it decreases dramatically to 10-15%
Related Pearls: Ureter
Related Lectures:
Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Kidneys 2022: Pearls and Pitfalls - Part 1
Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Kidneys 2022: Pearls and Pitfalls - Part 3
CT Evaluation of Hematuria: A Practical Approach - Part 4
CT of Calyceal Abnormalities in the Kidney: Pearls and Pitfalls - Part 2