Primary Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Ureter: A Short Review

Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumors represent 0.05% of urinary tract malignancies, and most originate in the bladder. Their pathogenesis is debated, since ureters are thought to lack neuroendocrine cells. Morphologically, most ureteral neuroendocrine tumors demonstrate the typical small cell neuroendocrine appearance, are immunohistochemically positive for synaptophysin/chromogranin A/CD56, and show electron-dense granules by electron microscopy. Clinical presentation is similar to that of other more common ureteral neoplasms. Prognosis is usually dismal, but a multimodal treatment approach including platinum-based adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy seems to be beneficial.