What is urinary tract cancer metastasis?

Metastatic urinary tract cancer is the term for cancer that started as a tumor in the urinary tract (the kidney, ureter, bladder, and urethra) and later spread to other parts of the body.

How does it occur?

When urinary tract cancer spreads, the original tumor sheds cancer cells that travel through the bloodstream and lymph system, lodge in other parts of the body, and begin to grow as new tumors. How far the cancer cells spread from the original tumor site depends on the type of cells, their location, and the person's response to initial treatment. Urinary cancer commonly spreads to the lungs, bones, lymph nodes, and liver.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of the original tumor in the urinary tract are often the same as the symptoms of a urinary tract infection. Depending on the size of the tumor and how advanced the cancer is, possible symptoms are:

• blood in the urine

• the need to urinate frequently and with urgency.

The symptoms of tumor spread or metastases depend on where in the body they occur. Some of the possible symptoms or warning signs are:

• an enlarged liver

• pain in the back or bone pain

• swelling in the legs

• enlarged lymph nodes

• yellowish skin or eyes

• abnormal blood tests.

How is it diagnosed?

A physical exam and/or x-ray studies may show the tumor growing in other parts of the body (for example, the lungs or liver).

Other procedures and tests used to detect metastatic bladder cancer include ultrasound, intravenous pyelography (IVP, a special x-ray involving injecting a dye into the blood which allows the outlines of the kidneys, ureters and bladder to be seen on x-ray), chest x-ray, computed tomography (CT scan), and blood tests.

How is it treated?

The treatment for metastatic urinary tract cancer depends on where the tumor is, how large it is, how far it has spread to other parts of the body, and the symptoms. Treatment options are:

• Chemotherapy: Anticancer drugs are used to try to kill the cancer cells.

• Radiation therapy: Cancerous areas are exposed to high doses of radiation to:
  • shrink the size of a tumor

  • decrease pain if a tumor is pressing on a nerve

  • control bleeding

  • decrease swelling in the legs

  • decrease pain in the bones and joints.
• Surgery: Surgery is not usually used to treat metastatic urinary tract cancer except to stop severe bleeding or spasms.

How long will the effects last?

Life expectancy after metastatic urinary tract cancer depends on how much the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and where the new tumors are located.

How can I take care of myself?

If you have cancer you can help yourself feel better by eating a balanced diet, getting plenty of rest, and following the doctor's instructions. In addition, try to reduce stress in your life and take more time to relax.

Be sure to ask the doctor any questions you may have about the progress of the disease, treatments, side effects of the treatments, support groups, and anything else that concerns you. Ask the doctor about alternative methods of pain control (such as relaxation techniques, guided imagery, and hypnosis).

What can be done to help prevent urinary tract cancer metastasis?

Metastatic urinary tract cancer may be prevented by early detection and treatment of tumors before the cancer cells spread to other parts of the body. Regular checkups are especially important if you are at high risk for urinary tract cancer. High risk factors include: working in industries with rubber, leather, dye, and chemicals, including cadmium; smoking; or taking pain medication containing phenacetin.

Report symptoms such as blood in the urine, or pain with urination, to your doctor immediately.