Metachronous urothelial carcinoma in the renal pelvis, bladder, and urethra: A case report

BACKGROUND: Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is a common malignancy of the urinary system that can occur anywhere from the renal pelvis to the proximal urethra. Most UCs are in the bladder and have multifocal growth. Upper urinary tract UC (UTUC), which occurs in the renal pelvis or ureter, accounts for only 5% to 10% of UCs. CASE SUMMARY: In March 2015, a 70-year-old male who initially presented to a local hospital with a complaint of painless hematuria was diagnosed with UTUC of the right renal pelvis. The doctors administered radical nephroureterectomy and bladder cuff excision. Although the doctors recommended intravesical chemotherapy and regular follow-up, he rejected this advice. In December 2016, the patient presented at our hospital with dysuria. We identified UC in the residual bladder and administered radical cystectomy and left cutaneous ureterostomy. In November 2021, he presented again with urethral bleeding. We detected urethral UC as the cause of urethral orifice bleeding and administered radical urethrectomy. Since then, he has visited regularly for 6-mo follow-ups, and was in stable condition as of December 2022. CONCLUSION: UTUC is prone to seeding and recurrence. Adjuvant instillation therapy and intense surveillance are crucial for these patients.