IS ROUTINE EXCRETORY UROGRAPHY NECESSARY AT FIRST DIAGNOSIS OF BLADDER-CANCER

Purpose: We determined whether routine excretory urography (IVP) at in itial diagnosis of bladder cancer is useful in screening the upper uri nary tract for clinically inapparent urothelial tumors. Materials and Methods: IVPs and ultrasound findings of 314 patients with bladder can cer were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Only 1 silent upper urinar y tract tumor was detected with IVP (0.3%), resulting in nephrouretere ctomy. IVP had no further therapeutic consequences except for destruct ion of an asymptomatic prevesical stone. TVP was followed by ureterore noscopy in 5 patients with negative results. Upper urinary tract obstr uction could be documented equally well by sonography in all cases. Co nclusions: Routine IVP at first diagnosis of bladder cancer is unneces sary.