“My UTUC diagnosis shocked me.
But I won't let it shake me.”
Understanding low-grade UTUC
Urothelial carcinoma refers to a type of cancer that happens in the lining of the urinary tract. While most urothelial cancers occur in the bladder, some occur in the kidneys or the ureters. This is known as upper tract urothelial carcinoma, or UTUC.
If you have low-grade UTUC, your tumors are typically non-invasive. This means they are less aggressive and less likely to spread to other parts of the body than high-grade tumors.
The urinary tract
Your urinary tract filters blood and creates waste, getting rid of it in the form of urine. There are 4 major parts to the urinary tract. With UTUC, the cells lining the kidneys and ureters are affected.
- Removes wastes and extra fluid
- Makes red blood cells
- Controls blood pressure
- Keeps bones healthy
- Moves urine from the kidney to the bladder
- Stores urine
- Moves urine from the bladder to the outside of your body
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