Long-term followup of a bladder carcinoma cohort: routine followup urography is not necessary.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluate whether routine excretory urography is needed in the long-term followup of patients with bladder carcinoma.


METHODS
A total of 680 patients with an initial diagnosis of bladder carcinoma from 1987 to 1988 in western Sweden were prospectively registered and followed for at least 5 years. All carcinomas of the kidney, renal pelvis and ureter, and all surgically treated cases of ureteral stricture were registered.


RESULTS
During followup renal pelvic or ureteral carcinoma developed in 16 patients, renal cell carcinoma was diagnosed in 2 and 6 underwent surgery for benign obstruction of the distal ureter.


CONCLUSIONS
The low annual incidence of malignant upper urinary tract and renal tumors as well as ureteral strictures supports our opinion that routine imaging of the upper urinary tract is not indicated during followup of patients with bladder carcinoma. We recommend urography at initial diagnosis of bladder carcinoma, when tumor progression occurs and when symptoms or signs raise suspicion of upper urinary tract disease.
Holmäng
S
S
Department of Urology and Oncological Centre, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
Hedelin
H
H
Anderström
C
C
Holmberg
E
E
Johansson
S L
SL
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014567:Urography; D014571:Urologic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000556:secondary