Elderly Man in Taichung Diagnosed with Four Cancers After UTI Hospitalization

(CNA, Taichung, 5th) A 70-year-old man was hospitalized with a fever due to a urinary tract infection and was diagnosed with bilateral acute pyelonephritis. Because fluid had accumulated in his kidneys and ureters, further examination revealed right ureteral cancer, left ureteral cancer, and bladder cancer. Subsequent tumor pathology also confirmed skin cancer. The attending physician called the case extremely rare.

Li General Hospital issued a press release today. Dr. Huang Pin-jui, an attending urologist, stated that the patient had been found to have microscopic hematuria during every hospital checkup over the past two years but had repeatedly refused further examination. One month ago, the patient was hospitalized for a urinary tract infection. Tests showed his kidneys were swollen, and cancer was suspected. The patient again refused further testing, and his family had him discharged.

Dr. Huang said that the patient later agreed to undergo examination after persistent persuasion from his family. Bilateral ureteroscopic biopsies and a bladder biopsy were performed. Because the patient also had a 4-centimeter tumor with some ulceration on the back of his right hand, a biopsy of that lesion was done simultaneously. Unexpectedly, all were malignant tumors.

"It is truly rare in clinical practice to diagnose cancer in four different sites in a single examination," Dr. Huang revealed. The patient's advanced age led to prostate enlargement, causing frequent incomplete bladder emptying and repeated catheterization. The prolonged inability to fully empty the bladder allowed urine to flow back into the body, which are all factors contributing to cancer development.

Dr. Huang pointed out that the most typical early symptom of bladder and ureteral cancers is painless hematuria. In the early stages, there is often no pain and symptoms may not be obvious. Some patients may experience urinary urgency or painful urination. He urged that if symptoms such as hematuria, recurrent infections, or hydronephrosis appear, they should not be ignored, and treatment should not be abandoned to improve the chances of a cure. (Editor: Li Shuhua) 1150605