Upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma in patients with bladder carcinoma.

An upper urinary tract tumor following the initial diagnosis of bladder carcinoma is rare. We report 3 patients with bladder carcinoma who later developed upper urinary tract tumors. Ureteral tumor was diagnosed by ureterorenoscope in the first 2 patients, while in the third case, urothelial tumor involving the entire left upper tract was found at the time of planned operation for cystectomy. The etiology, risk factors, and investigation plans were reviewed, in order to make an early detection of tumors.