Verified By Apollo Hospitals October 1, 2024
Ureteral cancer is the abnormal growth of cells on the inner lining of the ureters. Ureters are the two tubes that connect your kidneys and bladder and carry your urine to the urinary bladders. This type of cancer is rare and increases the risk for bladder cancer. The same kind of cancer cells grow in the ureters and bladder; hence, one can pose an increased risk for cancer of the other. Also, it usually affects older people.
Symptoms of ureteral cancer may include:
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek medical help from a Urologist.
The exact cause of ureteral cancer is still unknown. It starts when the cells in the ureters undergo some changes in their DNA. The cells multiply rapidly and block the ureter resulting in blockage of urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Some factors can also increase your risk of getting ureteral cancer which includes:
Contact your doctor if you experience any of the abovementioned symptoms and suspect ureteral cancer. Your doctor will refer you to a urologist (a doctor specializing in urological problems).
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Even if the cause is not known, you can stay away from those aspects that can increase the risk of getting this cancer. Some things that you can adopt to prevent ureteral cancer are:
The treatment depends on how much the tumour has spread or is still only present in the ureter. There are three stages of cancer: localized, regional, and metastatic. Localized cancer remains at the origin and has not yet spread to other body parts. Regional cancer spreads to the surrounding tissues, while metastatic cancer spreads to other body parts. Your doctor may conduct physical examinations, blood tests, urine tests, and tests for bladder cancer, as your treatment will depend upon the size and location of the cancer. Usually, surgery is conducted to get rid of intense ureteral cancer. Chemotherapy can also be recommended in which certain drugs are used to get rid of cancer cells.
It is a life-threatening situation and should not get ignored. You should consult a urologist or urological hospital near you and get medical help so that your cancer can be detected early and treated.
You should get a regular full-body checkup as early detection of cancers will help a lot in controlling them. If your cancer is in the early stage, it can even be cured.
Yes, ureter cancer is curable, and the treatment usually involves surgical methods. If you have later stages of cancer, more extensive surgery such as nephrectomy, or nephroureterectomy may be needed. If your cancer is in the early stages, they can get treated by electrosurgery or laser. After your surgery, chemotherapy may be recommended.
You should consult a family doctor. They will then refer you to a urologist (a doctor specialising in urological problems) or an oncologist (a doctor specialising in cancer treatment).
Immunotherapy can be a treatment option for the early stages of ureteral cancer. Immunotherapy involves using your immune system to fight cancer cells.