Diseases and Conditions

Ureteral cancer

Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose ureteral cancer include:

  • Physical examination. Your doctor will ask you questions about your signs and symptoms and perform a physical examination to better understand your condition.
  • Imaging tests. Imaging tests may be used to help your doctor assess the extent of your ureteral cancer. Imaging tests may include intravenous pyelogram or CT urography. In certain cases, a magnetic resonance urogram may be used if you can't undergo CT imaging.
  • Urine tests. You may undergo a urinalysis to analyze your urine for any abnormalities. A urine cytology test may be used to look for abnormal cells in a urine sample.
  • Use of a thin, lighted tube to view the ureters. During a procedure called ureteroscopy, your doctor will insert a thin, lighted tube equipped with a camera (ureteroscope) into your urethra. The scope is passed through your bladder and into your ureters.

    Ureteroscopy allows your doctor to visually inspect your ureters and, if necessary, remove a small sample of tissue for laboratory testing (biopsy).

    In the laboratory, a doctor who specializes in analyzing blood and body tissue (pathologist) will carefully examine your cells for signs of cancer. This may include sophisticated analysis of the gene mutations involved in your cancer.

  • Tests for bladder cancer. Your doctor may examine your bladder using imaging tests or a scope to see inside your bladder (cystoscopy) to look for signs of bladder cancer. People diagnosed with ureteral cancer have a high risk of bladder cancer. It may occur at the same time as your ureteral cancer or grow soon after treatment.