Nephrourectomy and bladder cuff excision (BCE) is surgery used
for patients who have a malignant tumour of the upper urinary
tract. The tumours are uncommon, and only account for 5% to 10%
of all urothelial malignancies. The majority of upper tract
tumours are called transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC). Smoking is
known to increase risks of developing TCC in the renal pelvis. A
nephrourectomy is an operation to remove the kidney, ureter and
small part of the urinary bladder that has been affected been
affected by the cancer. The patient requires general anesthesia
for this surgery. The technique used for the surgery depends on
the disease itself. The surgeon carrying out the procedure will
discuss the appropriate approach with the patient. The operation
should help to alleviate symptoms and remove the cancer as long
as it has not spread.