The tumor is papillary to nodular on viewing from the mucosal aspect. Tumors involving the uretero-pelvic junction may obstruct urine outflow and cause hydronephrosis. The tumor histologically tends to show a papillary architecture. The papillae show a central fibrovascular core and are lined by transitional epithelial cells. The neoplastic transitional epithelial cells show varying degrees of nuclear changes which is the basis for tumor grading.
Hematuria is a common presentation.
Depending on location in the renal pelvis, patients may present with the clinical picture of urine outflow obstruction and hydronephrosis. Generally there is no palpable mass on presentation. Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. Search Medline at National Library of Medicine Please be patient during transfer. Medline will open in a new window.