Medicina (Feb 2023)

Chondrosarcoma of Ureter in an Elderly Patient: A Case Report

  • Szu-Ying Pan,
  • Chien-Zhi Lai,
  • Wen-Chi Chen,
  • Yung-Hsiang Chen,
  • Che-Hung Lin,
  • Han Chang,
  • Chi-Ping Huang,
  • Ching-Chung Yeh

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59030454
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 59, no. 3
p. 454

Abstract

Read online

Chondrosarcoma is a rare type of cancer that can affect the upper urinary tract. Because of its rarity, the clinical presentation of chondrosarcoma can be similar to other urinary tract conditions, such as renal colic, hematuria, and urothelial carcinoma. The primary treatment for chondrosarcoma is the surgical removal of the tumor, and radiation or chemotherapy may be used for advanced cases. However, because of the limited number of patients with this condition, there are no established guidelines for chemotherapy, and the outcomes are unclear. In this case, we present a 71-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with ureteral chondrosarcoma. She presented with abdominal pain and hydronephrosis, and a tumor was found beneath a small stone. The patient underwent nephroureterectomy and received oral fluorouracil chemotherapy due to the advanced stage of the disease. Fortunately, the patient survived, and at the 7 months post-operative follow-up there was no evidence of recurrence. In conclusion, the chondrosarcoma of the upper urinary tract is a rare condition that can be difficult to diagnose due to its similarity to other urinary tract conditions. Treatment typically involves the surgical removal of the tumor, with radiation or chemotherapy reserved for advanced cases. However, because of the limited number of patients, there are no established guidelines for chemotherapy, and the outcomes of treatment are unclear.

Keywords