Analgesic nephropathy and phenacetin-induced transitional cell carcinoma - analysis of 300 patients with long-term consumption of phenacetin-containing drugs.

In 300 urological patients with long-term intake of phenacetin-containing compounds, renal (papillary necrosis, chronic interstitial nephritis) and extrarenal manifestations appeared after an average latency period of 20 years. Course and prognosis primarily depend on the successful cessation of analgesics and the elimination of the accompanying infection. In the last decade, an increase of transitional cell carcinoma induced by analgesics has been observed. 31 of our patients presented a tumor of the urothelium (i.e. 10.3%) 26 patients presented isolated carcinoma of the bladder, 2 persons were diagnosed as having cancer of the bladder and the renal pelvis, and 1 patient had cancer of the bladder and the ureter. Only 2 persons suffered from isolated carcinoma of the renal pelvis. A further increase of these specific cases if expected.