Urothelial carcinomas (UCs) represent the fourth most common tumor type in developed countries; UCs can be further divided into lower (bladder and urethra) or upper (pyelocaliceal cavities and ureter) urinary tract cancers.1 Among them, bladder cancer (BCa) is the most common urinary tract malignancy worldwide, accounting for up to 95% of UCs. In the European Union, the age-standardized incidence rate of BCa is 19.1 and 4.0 cases per 100,000 person-years for men and women, respectively. However, upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUCs) are relatively uncommon and account only for 5% to 10% of UCs, with an estimated annual incidence in Western countries of almost 2 cases per 100,000 person-years. Globally, UC incidence and mortality rates vary across different countries due to differences in risk factors, diagnostic practices, and availability of treatments.
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