Preoperative anemia was significantly correlated with worse chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage and higher pathological tumor stage in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

By Kaplan-Meier analysis, preoperative anemia was not significantly associated with metastasis-free and cancer-specific survival for patients with UTUC. However, preoperative anemia well predicted survival in those without stage 5 CKD.

Patients׳ renal function is important when evaluating anemia in UTUC before radical surgery, which may assist in preoperative counseling, decision making, and even personalized treatment.