Nephron-sparing Management of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a relatively rare tumor, but is characterized by high rates of recurrence, morbidity, and mortality. Choice of treatment modality is generally influenced by lesion size, grade, and focality. Radical nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision is the gold-standard management of UTUC, although an organ-sparing approach may be beneficial in selected patients. Conservative endoscopic management of UTUC in appropriate patients has a favorable impact on quality of life and health care costs when compared with patients who progress to dialysis-dependent renal failure. Careful ureteroscopic surveillance following endoscopic management of UTUC is essential.