Robot-Assisted Surgery for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.

Abstract

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma is a rare malignancy for which surgery provides definitive management. Open radical nephroureterectomy was the gold standard treatment, but laparoscopic and robot-assisted approaches are alternative options. Kidney-sparing approaches are feasible for carefully selected patients with ureteral cancer. This article discusses the evaluation of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma and definitive management using robot-assisted surgical approaches. Patients with urothelial carcinoma of the upper tract can be treated with robot-assisted nephroureterectomy, distal ureterectomy, and segmental ureterectomy.