Tumors of the urinary system are abnormal growths of cells in organs of the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. These tumors may be benign or malignant (cancerous) and can affect the body’s ability to filter blood and excrete waste. Urinary system tumors can be classified based on their anatomical location, whether they are benign or malignant, and their epidemiological characteristics.

Kidney Tumors

Kidney tumors may be benign (such as renal cysts or angiomyolipomas) or malignant, most commonly renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Benign cystic kidney tumors account for approximately 80.6% of cases, while malignant tumors account for 19.4%. Cystic renal cell carcinoma is relatively rare, representing about 3–15% of all renal cell carcinoma cases.

Renal Pelvis and Ureter Cancer

Cancers of the renal pelvis and ureter account for only 5–10% of all urothelial cancers of the urinary tract (including the renal calyces, renal pelvis, ureters, bladder, and urethra), with approximately 1–2 cases per 100,000 people.

Bladder Tumors

Bladder tumors may be benign (such as bladder polyps) or malignant. Transitional cell carcinoma accounts for more than 90% of bladder cancer cases. Bladder cancer is the most common malignant disease of the urinary tract. In 2018, there were approximately 549,393 newly diagnosed cases and 199,922 deaths worldwide. In Vietnam, bladder cancer most commonly affects adults aged 40–70 years (78%) and occurs more frequently in men than in women.

Urethral Tumors

Malignant tumors of the urethra are rare but may be associated with squamous cell carcinoma.

Prostate Conditions

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer are two common conditions affecting men.

  • In Vietnam, prostate cancer ranked 5th in incidence and 7th in mortality, with 6,248 new cases and 2,628 deaths in 2020.
  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia increases with age, affecting approximately 50% of men at age 60, 70% at age 70, and 90% at age 90.
  • Globally, prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, with 1,414,259 new cases, and ranks fifth in cancer-related mortality with 375,304 deaths.

Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is the most common solid tumor in men aged 15–35 years. Major risk factors include:

  • Undescended testicle (cryptorchidism): increases the risk by 3.5–11 times compared to the general population.
  • Testicular atrophy or abnormal development.
  • Family history of testicular cancer.

The proportion of testicular cancer associated with undescended testes ranges from 3.5% to 14.5%.

Among common cancers, urothelial carcinoma ranks 7th in men and 10th overall. Within this group, prostate and bladder cancers are more common than cancers of the kidney, ureter, or testis.

Major risk factors include male sex, older age, family history of cancer, genetic mutations, and exposure to toxic chemicals. If not detected and treated early, tumors of the urinary system may progress to cancer, leading to high mortality rates and significant medical and economic burdens.

Therefore, regular screening for urinary system tumors is strongly recommended for individuals with risk factors to enable early detection, timely treatment, and prevention of cancer progression.