Advantages and disadvantages of ureteroscope in the diagnosis and treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma / 现代泌尿外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Ureteroscopy plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Conventional ureteroscopy (URS) can not only identify the location, appearance and size of a tumor, but also assess tumor grade by biopsy. The continued development of electronic flexible ureteroscopy and assistive technologies has led to further advances in the diagnosis of UTUC. Ureteroscopic laser ablation can be used to treat low grade malignancy, renal insufficiency, or isolated kidney. However, the use of URS may have potential risks such as delay of radical treatment, increased surgical difficulty, intraoperative or postoperative complications and intravesical recurrence. This article reviews the advantages and disadvantages of ureteroscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of UTUC.