Transitional cell carcinoma of the kidney 25-year experience.

Seventy patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the kidney operated upon at Barnes Hospital during the last 25 years are reviewed. The relationship of the pathologic stage, grade, findings on excretory urography and survival is studied. The stage and survival rates were predicted fairly accurately on the basis of the excretory urogram alone. Survival of patients was determined occasionally by the status of the associated bladder tumors more than by the renal cancer. Because of tumor multiplicity we recommend total nephroureterectomy as the treatment of choice. The role of radiation therapy is considered.