Reassessment of circle tube nephrostomy in advanced pelvic malignancy.

The dilemma created for and presented to the urologist by the combination of a patient with increasing uremia from advanced pelvic malignancy and a referring physician frustrated by the situation is solved best by individual decisions appropriate for each case. Urinary diversion should be reserved for the occasional circumstance when reasonable life expectancy approaches 6 months or more. Drainage by circle tube nephrostomy provides minimal trouble for patient and physician, while providing excellent relief from the obstructive uropathy. In this series of 20 patients the average survival was 5.3 months. An attempt to assess the quality of life after diversion by circle tube nephrostomy is made.