What to expect from kidney removal surgery for upper tract urothelial cancer

Upper tract urothelial cancer begins in the lining of the renal pelvis or ureter. Surgery may be a nephroureterectomy, which removes the kidney, the full ureter and a small area where the ureter enters the bladder. Nearby lymph nodes or bladder tissue may be assessed or treated depending on the surgical plan. The approach can be open or keyhole surgery.

After anaesthesia, you may have a catheter, drain and intravenous fluids for a period of recovery. Staff monitor pain, urine output, bowel function and blood tests. Soreness, tiredness, constipation and reduced appetite can occur. Because one kidney remains, later care commonly includes kidney-function and blood-pressure checks, as well as review of the surgical pathology.

Give the team a complete medicine list and mention blood thinners, kidney problems, urinary symptoms and previous abdominal surgery. Follow fasting and medicine instructions. At home, keep the incision cared for as directed, walk gently, avoid lifting until cleared and use prescribed pain relief. Support with meals and transport can make the first days easier.

Keep every urology and oncology appointment. The pathology report helps determine whether additional treatment or bladder surveillance is needed. Report new urinary symptoms rather than waiting for a routine review.

Call the surgical team promptly for fever, worsening abdominal or flank pain, increasing redness or fluid from the wound, repeated vomiting, inability to pass urine or very little urine. Seek emergency help for severe breathlessness, chest pain, collapse, confusion or heavy bleeding. A painful swollen leg or sudden new weakness also requires urgent assessment.

Ask exactly which kidney, ureter and nearby tissues will be removed, whether lymph nodes will be sampled, how bladder follow-up works, how the remaining kidney will be protected and when pathology results will be discussed.