Renal Pelvic Carcinoma in Phenacetin Abusers

Abstract

On the basis of several recent Swedish reports of a possible relationship between the abuse of phenacetin and the development of transitional-cell tumours of the renal pelvis, we have undertaken a retrospective review of a 5-year material of patients with chronic pyelonephritis and abuse of phenacetin, and have found 2 cases of transitional-cell tumours of the renal pelvis among 101 patients with abuse of phenacetin. The case histories are briefly reviewed and attention is drawn to the fact that in patients with papillary necrosis and abuse of phenacetin, suspicion should be directed to transitional-cell tumours of the renal pelvis when haematuria occurs without accompanying pain.