What is non-invasive low-grade papillary uroepithelial carcinoma?

Non-invasive low-grade papillary uroepithelial carcinoma is a papillary carcinoma of well-differentiated uroepithelium that does not involve the epithelial basement membrane. Uroepithelial tumors can be classified as invasive uroepithelial tumors, non-invasive uroepithelial tumors, and squamous cell tumors. Uroepithelial tumors originate from the migrating epithelial cells of the urinary tract. Non-infiltrative means that the tumor cells are confined to the epithelium and do not invade the basement membrane of the epithelium, whereas infiltrative, on the contrary, means that the tumor cells invade the basement membrane of the epithelium, and infiltrate to a deeper level. Low grade and high grade are descriptions of the degree of differentiation of cancer cells. Low grade refers to grade I of histologic grading, which is well differentiated and has a better prognosis; high grade refers to grades II and III, which are relatively poorly differentiated. Papillary refers to the way uroepithelial carcinoma grows in the form of a papilla. The current pathologic findings suggest a better prognosis, and it is recommended that those with non-invasive low-grade papillary uroepithelial carcinoma consult a specialist for appropriate treatment options.