Systematic mapping of nephroureterectomy specimens removed for urothelial cancer: pathological findings and clinical correlations.

The nature and extent of mucosal alterations in 30 consecutive surgical specimens removed for urothelial neoplasia were evaluated by systematic mapping. The findings correlated with pertinent pathological, cytological and clinical data. Generally, the grade of the principal neoplasm paralleled the degree of epithelial disturbance in the grossly normal urothelium, high grade carcinomas being associated consistently with severe changes and low grade cancers with hyperplasia only. Cytological studies reflected accurately the grade of the principal neoplasm, and the presence of concomitant contiguous and remote mucosal abnormalities.