Urothelial carcinoma (UC), formerly known as transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), is a malignant tumor arising from the urothelium — the specialized lining of the urinary tract that extends from the renal pelvis to the urethra.
It is the most common type of bladder cancer and can also occur in the ureters or renal pelvis (collectively called upper tract urothelial carcinoma, UTUC).
Urothelial carcinoma is often linked to tobacco exposure, chemical carcinogens, and chronic inflammation.
The disease ranges from superficial, non–muscle-invasive tumors to deeply invasive and metastatic disease, requiring different management approaches.
